Industry and government are cooperating in an effort to establish standards and protocols for future super-safe roadways. The goal of the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration Consortium is the establishment of a nationwide communications network that includes roads, intersections and vehicles. However, legal liability and privacy issues present obstacles to be resolved.
Lagging truck sales, rising raw material and health care costs, high fuel prices and overcapacity are bedeviling the efforts of Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors to stay profitable in the North American market. But each of the "Big Three" say they remain confident they can overcome those challenges.
Ford is seeking improved residual values on current models by reducing sales to rental fleets
A safety official with the Center for Auto Safety says any cell phone use while driving constitutes dangerous driver distraction. Clarence Ditlow has petitioned the NHTSA to ban driver use of both handheld and hands-free phones as well as GM OnStar and Lexus TeleAid satellite communication services while a vehicle is in motion.
The ATA is pushing for tougher truck driver and instructor training requirements to raise the safety standards for new drivers. Bill Graves, ATA president and CEO, says, "The trucking industry desires the safest possible highways." Its goal is to ensure drivers are prepared to deal with real-world driving situations.