This past Wednesday, cyclists across the country took part in the annual Ride of Silence, which seeks to raise awareness about the importance of recognizing cyclists’ right to the road.  100 persons on bikes descended on the Pasadena area to take part in the event.  Participants were clad in black and red armbands, the former to signify the loss of a loved one hit by a vehicle and the latter standing for that participant being in an accident themselves.  Half of those who showed up for the event had reportedly been struck in some way.  The coordinator of the Ride of Silence explained that 25 cyclists have already been killed in Southern California this year.  The Pasadena version of the event began in 2005.

For more about the ride, click here.

ACX Trucks of the 2012 and 2013 model years have been recalled by Autocar because of a potential safety hazard associated with their windshield wiper blades.  On just under 800 of these vehicles, the blades are in danger of not being placed in the right position.  This could compromise the blades’ ability to clear a driver’s windshield, and thus the trucks are brought out of compliance with federal standards.  Rain or some other type of moisture could imperil a driver’s vision, making the threat of a crash that much greater.  The recall won’t start until the beginning of July, and owners will hear from Autocar and be able to bring the trucks in to a dealer to obtain no-cost repairs.

Click here for more about this recall.

It has been illegal to text and drive in Louisiana for awhile now, but many officials within the state have grown concerned that motor vehicle operators could exploit a loophole allowing them to interact with social media at the wheel.  Lawmakers are attempting to put an end to that loophole, and they took a big step in that direction with the House’s passage of a ban on social media usage while driving.  Although previously approved by the state Senate, the House amended the proposal to exempt users of ham radios, and thus the Senate will have to vote anew on the measure.  Should the Senate conclude that the law would still be advisable, the Governor would have to sign it before it becomes the law of the land.

For more about this measure, click here.

The city of Evanston, Illinois has been able to report a marked reduction in the number of motor vehicle collisions which have occurred since a ban on cellphone usage at the wheel was put into place.  Enactment of the law occurred in 2010, and from 2009 to now, injurious crashes have decreased in the city by 14.5%.  One city officlas points not just to the law but to the efforts of police to crack down on distracted drivers as a reason for the measure’s success.  Illinois as a whole does not ban cellphone driving at this point, but various cities have enacted their own measures barring a statewide ban.

For more information, follow this link.

Concerned about the danger still posed by drunk driving, despite a nationwide enactment of a .08% blood alcohol content standard for intoxication in 2000, the National Transportation Safety Board is attempting to get the current BAC lowered even further.  The NTSB believes that reducing the BAC minimum to .05% will save lives, as a driver at the .08% limit still sees their chances of being involved in a fatal crash doubled.  The NTSB has also advised that interlock devices, which prevent a vehicle from starting when the driver is drunk, be more widely adopted and that enforcement operations become more commonplace.  The American Beverage Institute took issue with these proposals, which they say would unfairly punish moderate drinkers.

For more about these recommendations, follow this link.

A number of different RVs of the 2013 and 2014 model years are being recalled by Fleetwood RV because of an issue with the affixed 9100 and Weatherpro power awnings.  The recall, which pertains to such recreational vehicles as Providence, Southwind, Storm, and more, was initiated upon discovery that shearing can occur in the motor assembly screws because of an alteration to the motor assembly on the power awning.  196 RVs could suffer from the issue, which could find the awning coming down and making injurious contact with an individual in the vicinity.  If in transit, a crash hazard would be posed.  Owners will be able to get free repairs, although there is no word yet on when the recall will begin.

Click here for more about the recall.

The beleaguered Los Angeles-based Coda Holdings, already in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings, is now seeking to issue a recall on a series of electric sedans.  This past March, testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that when a side impact occurs, the airbags are in danger of not going off the way they should.  Thus, persons inside the automobiles would face a greater risk of an injury.  The issue apparently stems from the improper assembly of the airbags.  Because the company is in the middle of the bankruptcy process, they have to get permission from a judge in order to issue a recall.  The company figures that the recall of an estimated 93 vehicles will only cost $40,000.

To learn more about the potential recall, click here.

In recent weeks, a host of motorhomes have been recalled because of the possibility that the installation sequence for the awnings was not properly followed, and thus the awning could roll out while in the midst of traffic and pose a crash hazard.  Now, Tiffin Motorhomes is recalling vehicles for this very issue.  This time, the recall affects 293 Allegro and Breeze motorhomes of the 2013 model year.  In addition to posing a crash threat, the condition could also pose an injury hazard while parked if the awning comes down while a person is in the way.  Once owners hear from Tiffin, they will be able to obtain a new awning motor for free from Dometic.  There’s no word yet on when this replacement service can be sought.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

S407 and S417 TC motorcoaches of the 2011 to 2013 model years have been recalled by Setra Luxury Coaches because of the possibility that moisture can seep into the engine compartment’s remote diagnostic electrical connections socket.  234 vehicles could potentially suffer from this issue, which could find the socket experiencing corrosion that might prompt a short circuit.  This condition could then lead a blaze to break out, compromising the safety of people onboard.  The recall is scheduled to start in June, so owners should expect to hear from Serta soon.  They can then bring the motorcoaches in to a dealer to obtain no-cost repairs.

For more about the recall, click here.

Ram 1500 trucks of the 2013 model year have been recalled by Chrysler because of an issue with the coolant bypass valve.  Just under 500 of the vehicles could suffer from the defect, which would find the aforementioned component being directed to a certain position which disables the coolant’s ability to be distributed to the heater core.  This brings the trucks out of compliance with the federal standards governing windshield defrosting, as ice or moisture could subsequently build up on the windshield.  The impediment to the driver’s visibility would thus pose a crash hazard.  Once the recall begins in June, owners should be on the lookout for a notification from Chrysler.  Dealers will replace and recalibrate the affected coolant valves at no cost to owners.

For more about the recall, click here.

A measure that seeks to protect consumers from vehicles that have an open recall is gaining traction at the national level.  Yesterday, a cadre of United States Senators introduced the bill, which would make it illegal for rental car companies to sell or lease any recalled automobile that had yet to be fixed.  Named after two women who died in California in a crash involving a recalled vehicle that had never been taken care of, the bill would basically apply the same standards that dealerships are required to submit to.  Under the proposal, rental car companies would have a day to pull the vehicle from sale after they learn of the open recall.  A bill in the House is also imminent.

Click here to learn more about the bill.

A number of businesspersons in the Seattle, Washington area who commute to work via their bicycles are providing some safety tips to other cyclists.  The business cyclists are largely upset with the city’s lack of infrastructure dedicated to bicycle safety, and each reports being involved in some kind of accident at one point or another.  Many talk up the importance of visibility-enhancement equipment such as reflectors, strobe lights, and brightly colored clothing.  Cyclists should ride their bikes along the right side of the road while being cognizant of certain obstacles, such as a car door being suddenly flung open.  The report cites research which suggests that cities with more cyclists might also decrease the danger, and thus employers are asked to get involved and offer incentives to workers who bike to and from work.

Click here for more information.

The city of Newport Beach was just one of the places in California where anti-distracted driving efforts were enacted as part of April’s designation as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.  Now, police are detailing the results of their efforts to root out persons engaged in a conversation on their phone or texting and driving.  510 people received a ticket within the city for one of those offenses, and such persons will be expected to pay a base fine of $164.  The efforts were designed to cut down on the estimated nine fatalities and 1,000-plus injuries which are thought to take place every day because of distraction.  To ensure that safety remains paramount throughout the year, enforcement as well as education-based efforts will continue in Newport.

For more about the effort, click here.

Just over 100 Canyon Star motorhomes of the 2012 and 2013 model years are being recalled by the Newmar Corporation because of an issue that could compromise visibility.  The rear cap of these motorhomes could potentially be missing a reflector, a condition which brings them out of compliance with federal safety standards.  Without the reflectors, there’s a danger that automobiles behind the motorhome would be unable to see the vehicle properly, and thus they could crash into the vehicles in the dark.  Although there is as of yet no word on when the recall will begin, once it does, owners will hear from Newmar and be able to bring their motorhomes in to a dealer to get the necessary reflectors put in.

Click here for more about the recall.

Numerous trucking groups have come out in support of a measure recently introduced in the Senate that would limit the size and weight of trucks traveling along all highways.  Known as the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act, the bill would limit tractor trailers to 53 feet or less and place a weight cap of 80,000 pounds.  At the moment, only those trucks which travel on interstate highways are subject to such rules, but the proposed bill would change things so that trucks on any highway are privy to the restrictions.  That would extend the restrictions to 220,000 miles of highway, up from the 44,000 miles currently covered.  Triple tractors would also be disallowed.  Persons impacted by truck crashes, as well as such groups as AAA and the Truck Safety Coalition, have come out as proponents of the law.

Follow this link for more about the bill.

KH25 passenger car tires of the 225/45R17 size and the Kumho Solus brand have been recalled by Kumho Tire U.S.A.  11,922 tires are thought to be affected by the recall, which was issued upon discovery that the sidewalls of the tires could crack.  This could lead air to emanate from the unit at high levels, a condition which can prompt the outright failure of the tire while the automobile is in transit.  A crash then becomes a possibility.  The recall should have started yesterday, and thus owners can expect to hear from Kumho soon.  The tires can be returned to a dealer, at which point the vehicle owners will receive reimbursement.

For more about the recall, click here.

510 trailers of the 2003 through 2013 model years are being recalled by Westmor Industries because of a potential issue with the pressure release valves from Emerson.  These H732 and H832 valves of the Fisher brand could see their stems break, a defect that could lead to full separation.  Following the subsequent ejection of the valve, gas will be allowed to emanate from the component.  If a flame is in the vicinity of this pressurized gas, it could spark a blaze.  In addition, the valve’s ejection could prompt a strike on a nearby vehicle.  There’s no word on when this recall will start, but once it does, owners will hear from Westmor and be able to receive a new valve from Emerson.

For more about the recall, click here.

Nevada, along with the rest of the country, is commemorating May’s designation as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  To get citizens more involved, the Nevada Rider Motorcycle Safety Program has issued a series of important tips to drivers and motorcyclists alike.  Riders are asked to wear equipment that protects them, such as a helmet, and increases their visibility.  It’s also imperative to regularly brush up on skills training and understand your reaction time while on the road.  For their part, drivers are asked to put ample distance between themselves and riders, at least three or four seconds’ worth of road space.  Automobiles shouldn’t crowd a lane containing a motorcyclist and drivers should always keep an eye out for riders when executing a left turn.

For more tips, follow this link.

People tend to think of teens as being the most distracted drivers out on the road, but a new study shows that distraction moves across generational barriers.  Researchers at the University of Michigan recently surveyed 600 parents as to their driving habits, and the results are somewhat disheartening.  Nine out of ten respondents said they had submitted to technological distractions at least once in the past month.  Most of those were cellphone-based.  These activities were conducted while a kid younger than 12 was in the vehicle.  Although not quite as common, there were also reported instances of a parent eating, drinking, and even smoking while their child was in the car.  Other distractions stemmed from the child:  giving the kid food, for instance, or searching for a toy that he or she had tossed to the ground.

For more information, click here.

GL450 4MATIC, GL550 4MATIC, GL63 AMG, and GL350 BlueTEC vehicles of the 2013 model year have been recalled by Mercedes-Benz USA.  272 vehicles are thought to be affected by the recall, which was issued once it was discovered that inadequate torquing could be had in the seat belt anchor fitting bolts in the second row.  This can cause loosening of said bolts that could imperil the components’ ability to protect passengers in the event of a crash.  Persons are thus at greater risk of sustaining an injury.  The recall should start this month.  After hearing from Mercedes, owners will be able to bring their vehicles in to a dealer for a free inspection and repairs.

For more about the recall, click here.