A researcher from the Motor Industry Research Association recently voiced his thoughts on the proliferation of automobile apps in the marketplace and their impact on distracted driving.  A supporter of the recent anti-distracted driving guidelines issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the doctor reasoned that apps which help get us to our destination or monitor our fuel economy are also creating information overload that has the potential to reduce driving ability.  He urges the United Kingdom to consider enacting voluntary guidelines similar to what the NHTSA has offered, saying that things like scrolling text, the internet, and social media should be placed out of a driver’s sight in a vehicle cabin.  He would also like to see maximum sound requirements put in place.

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Ram 5500 and 4500 trucks of the 2012 model year are being recalled by Chrysler because the front axle carriers on the vehicles may suffer from a potential defect in the welding process.  On 5,617 of these automobiles, a fracture can occur in the front drive shaft, leading to surrounding component damage should spinning continue and a loss of power even if spinning stops.  Either incident could prompt a crash, and thus a recall is being issued this July to take care of the problem.  Owners should hear from Chrysler at that time.  They’ll be able to bring their trucks in to get a free repair or replacement of the affected components.

Click here for more about the recall.

The Lake Mills, Wisconsin-based OSKRI Corporation has announced the recall of various dark chocolate candies because of a potential undeclared allergen threat posed.  Persons allergic to milk might face a severe reaction if they consume the affected Fig Dark Chocolate Bars, Almond Dark Chocolate Bars, Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate, and Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate Minis.  The items were available across the country and will be 1.9 ounces in size and have a Lot Number ranging from 001 to 154.  No one has reported becoming ill at this point, and to ensure that continues, concerned parties ought to arrange for a return of the item for a refund.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

Runway P235/60 R16 Enduro 816 tires are being recalled by the GITI Tire Company because of an issue that could compromise driver control.  Produced in the second week of this year, the 218 tires affected by the recall could have a problem with their mold which allows splitting to occur in the shoulder.  As a result, the tires may emanate air rapidly while in transit, an issue that could cause an outright failure that poses a crash hazard.  There has been no indication at this time as to when the recall is going to start, but once it does, tire owners can expect to hear from GITI.  A free replacement of the tires should be conducted by dealers at no cost to owners.

Follow this link for more about the recall.

Consumer Reports has released a guide to those motorcycles and scooters of the 2013 model year that are equipped with antilock brake systems.  As the report states, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has estimated that this technology could reduce fatal motorcycle injuries by a rate of 37%.  At the moment, ABS isn’t standard, but that will change in 2016 when mandatory rules come into effect.  However, you can consult the guide to determine what ABS model suits your riding style.  The system tends to be more common nowadays with larger motorcycles, but unfortunately, the smaller vehicles favored by many new riders still tend to be lacking ABS.

For the full guide, click here.

A new article explains the process of getting a recall fixed by a dealership.  Prompted by a reader question, the report attempts to lay out how to protect yourself financially when you attempt to obtain recall repairs.  When a recall is issued, you absolutely should not be required to pay for those repairs, even if the initial fix didn’t work.  When a dealer quotes you a price, it could be because they want to find out if an issue with your vehicle stems from something other than a defect.  In such instances, you’ll want to make sure that they’re not going to charge you the quote if it turns out that in fact the recall issue is to blame.

Follow this link for more information.

Six states are teaming up for an anti-distracted driving effort next week that has been aptly named the Six-State Trooper Project.  Highway patrol officers from Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and presumably one other state will be on the lookout for road actions that could be indicative of a distraction at the wheel.  Ohio in particular will deploy its air unit to look out for inappropriate lane crossings, aggression, tailgating, and other behaviors that suggest the driver’s focus isn’t completely on their environment.  The crackdown will pertain not just to cellphone violations but to other types of offenses such as eating or personal grooming.

For more about this effort, follow this link.

Sport Protein and ONE Bars of various flavors under the Vega brand are being recalled by Sequel Naturals because of an undeclared allergen threat.  Available across the country, the bars might contain milk without the label declaring as much.  Persons allergic to the substance could face a serious reaction that could even be fatal under the right circumstances.  One person has already reported suffering a reaction in conjunction with the bars, and allergic parties are being encouraged to get in touch with Vega to get their money back.  The company has announced its intention to alter the label to more clearly delineate the potential presence of milk; at the moment, the label only stipulates that the bars may have been made in an area where various allergens are present.

For more about the recall, click here.

The state of Florida is getting tough on distracted commercial drivers.  Earlier this week, the Governor signed a Highway Safety Bill that makes it illegal for bus drivers, truckers, and other commercial vehicle operators to use a handheld cellphone to talk or text.  Hands-free devices will still be allowed.  In addition to issuing a whopping $500 citation to the drivers responsible for the transgression, fleet operators would also be susceptible to a $2,750 ticket.  That latter number could increase to $11,000 if a driver is ticketed three times.  The Department of Transportation and the Florida Truckers Association back the measure, which brings Florida in line with federal guidelines for commercial driving.

For more about the measure, follow this link.

GOBlock Kits and GOPump Rapid Recovery System Kits are being recalled by Symbios because of a problem that could lead to the improper administration of medication to a patient.  Used to deliver anesthetic as a means to reduce pain in patients, the aforementioned systems may suffer from flow rates that are higher than they should be.  A patient thus receiving anesthetic more quickly than admissible could experience toxicity and ensuing complications, including seizures, irregular heartbeat, and even death.  The recall affects those products with flow control components made before last July.  Letters have reportedly already been sent out warning healthcare professionals about the issue.

For more about the recall, click here.

The Secaucus, New Jersey-based Hartz Mountain Corporation has announced the recall of one lot of 1.2 ounce versions of Wardley Betta Fish Food because there’s a possibility that the product could suffer from a Salmonella contamination.  Not only could this affect fish eating the food, but even a person handling the food could suffer from a Salmonella-based illness.  More than 8,000 containers made available across the country between May 13 and June 4 are impacted and each will have a lot code of PP06331.  No illnesses have been reported at this time, but consumers are being asked to cease feeding this product to their fish and to simply throw out the item.  Customers can get a refund by contacting Hartz.

Click here for more about the recall.

Warfarin 2 mg Tablets are being recalled by Zydus Pharmaceuticals because there’s a chance that the tablets might be larger than they’re supposed to be.  A customer complaint reportedly enlightened the company to the issue, which could see consumers ingesting more than the expected does of the drug, a hazard that becomes greater the longer a person takes Warfarin.  An increased dosage could lead to excessive bleeding that poses a serious hazard and could even be fatal should the blood make its way to vital organs.  No such issues have been reported at this time.  The affected lot, MM5767, was available across the country between November and December of last year.  The products should be quarantined at once and issues should be reported to MedWatch.

Follow this link for more about the recall.

TranStar and ProStar commercial trucks of the 2012 and 2013 model years under the International brand have been recalled by Navistar.  7,756 of the vehicles could see their steer axles’ brake S-cam tube bracket assemblies suffer from a fracture, a condition that has the potential to cause the brake itself to fail.  Because this could impact only the wheel controlled by that brake, the trucks could veer to the side during braking.  Even if this doesn’t happen, it would take the vehicle operator longer to bring the vehicle to a halt.  Either situation could create a crash.  Unfortunately, the recall won’t begin until August due to the unavailability of a remedy.  Owners should have been told of the issue last year.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

The Lexington, Massachusetts-based Stride Rite Children’s Group has announced the recall of white or brown Joanna Girl’s Sandals between sizes 8.5 and 10.  7,500 of these sandals could suffer from an issue wherein detachment of a metal flower found on the shoes is a possibility.  If the wearer then attempts to swallow the flower, it would create a choking threat.  Six detachment incidents and 11 more loosening incidents have already been reported, but those thankfully did not lead to an injury.  Owners can get in touch with the company to receive a free envelope they can use to ship the shoes back to receive a replacement coupon.  The sandals were sold across the country between December 2011 and this past May.

Click here for more about the recall.

Another report points to how difficult it can be to crack down on texting and driving if states fail to enact laws which focus on other distracting cellphone behaviors.  This most recent example comes from the Lafayette area of Indiana, where texting at the wheel has been illegal for about two years.  West Lafayette police have been able to issue one ticket during that entire timeframe, while Purdue hasn’t even done that.  The problem is that emailing or doing just about anything else on the phone is still legal, and thus it’s nearly impossible to distinctly prove texting has taken place.  A patrol commander from West Lafayette suggested that the problem won’t be addressed until all but hands-free communications are the focus of the law.

For more information, click here.

Today, the AAA Foundation for Highway Safety released the results of research from the University of Utah that outlines the danger posed by hands-free communications at the wheel and other types of cognitive distractions.  By placing a group of drivers in both simulators and vehicles capable of measuring mental function, researchers were able to gauge just how a driver’s behavior changed when exposed to such activities as talking on a hands-free and handheld phone and listening to an audiobook.  The study concluded that drivers fail to react appropriately to something like a pedestrian in a crosswalk if using a voice-activated texting function.  A representative of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has voiced concern with the results.

For more about the study, click here.

In a bid to reduce costs, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration might remove a rule requiring that commercial vehicle inspection reports be filed after each trip even if no defect was identified.  Fleets that operate more than one vehicle are currently required to file such reports, but the FMCSA, at the behest of the White House, is seeking to remove this distinction to save truckers around the country as much as $1 billion total every single year.  A proposal notice has been issued, with the FMCSA explaining that they don’t believe the change in rules would affect the safety of commercial vehicles.  Although inspections would still be carried out after the trip, only those which identify defects would need to remain on file.

Click here for more about the proposed rule.

Last year, a class action lawsuit was filed against Gruma Corp. because their Mission tortilla chips boasted of being all-natural despite having used genetically engineered corn as an ingredient.  However, the Food and Drug Administration has yet to force GE foods to be labeled as such, and the agency has also refrained from defining benchmarks a food must meet to be declared natural.  A Northern District of California Judge has thus suggested that she will issue a stay on the case for a half year so that the FDA can make a decision as to the appropriate definition of natural and whether GE foods could receive such a label.  The persons responsible for the class action suit worry, though, about the FDA’s tendency to drag its feet on such matters.

For more about the suit, follow this link.

An herbal supplement known as Bethel 30 is being recalled by Bethel Nutritional Consulting because of the potential presence of Sibutramine, a substance that has been deemed unsafe and is not currently available on the market.  In addition, the presence of Sibumatrine and Phenolphthalein mean that Bethel 30 should be classified as an unapproved drug.  Persons affected by Sibumatrine can face increased pulse and blood pressure as well as adverse reactions with other drugs.  The recalled 30 capsule version of the product with an expiration date of December 5, 2014 was available in New York City and online.  Although no adverse incidents have been reported at this time, consumers are being asked to return the item for a refund.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

The city of Lubbock may soon join the list of areas throughout Texas that have banned texting at the wheel.  This Thursday, the City Council will meet to discuss the matter, and the current Mayor Pro Tem doesn’t expect there to be much dissension in the ranks.  She explains that initially she had her doubts about the matter, but when the ban was brought up a few months ago, she began to monitor her own habits and started to truly understand how dangerous texting can be.  If passed, a driver would have to pay a $200 fine.  Three council members are already behind the ban.  Should it come to fruition, texting will be illegal in yet another portion of Texas in lieu of a statewide ban that failed earlier this year.

For more about the ban, follow this link.