Warm Weather’s Back — And With it, Reminders to Prevent Hot Car Deaths
Spring is about to give way to summer, and with warmer temperatures comes the heightened need to ensure the safety of children and pets riding in cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that on average, 37 children die each year of heatstroke after being left in vehicles or trapped in them — based on that average, a child dies this way somewhere in America about every 10 days.
It's really not just a hot-weather problem. Temperatures inside a sealed vehicle can reach dangerous levels even when outside temperatures are cool. Consumer Reports testing found that an outside temperature of 61 degrees resulted in an interior temperature of 105 degrees in just one hour.
Consumer Alert: NHTSA Urges Drivers Not to Use Aftermarket Steering Wheel Decals After Another Injury
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is again warning consumers not to use or buy aftermarket steering wheel decals after learning of another driver who suffered severe injuries from the decorative emblem during a crash.
Aftermarket steering wheel decals are made of metal or plastic and are usually covered with rhinestones or other shiny decorations. They have an adhesive back that covers the vehicle’s logo in the center of the steering wheel. In a crash, the force of a deploying air bag can turn the product into a projectile, resulting in serious injury or death.
Opus IVS Study: Efficiency Gains in Collision Repair with Strategic Diagnostic Solutions
Opus IVS announced results from its industry study to better understand how the strategic adoption of diagnostic solutions significantly enhances the efficiency and profitability of collision repair shops.
Key findings indicate that the right diagnostic solution can minimize issues related to insurance reimbursement processes, reduce technician shortages, and improve overall operational efficiency.
Click here to see the full study results whitepaper and for more information on how Opus IVS’s diagnostic solutions are helping collision repair shops mitigate insurance reimbursement issues and technician shortages, please visit www.opusivs.com.
Cox Automotive 2024 Path to EV Adoption Study Suggests Electric Vehicle Consideration Will Surge in Second Half of Decade
In the 2026-to-2028 timeframe, research suggests that 79% of vehicle shoppers (both new and used) will be considering an electric vehicle. By 2033, 90% of all vehicle shoppers will have electric vehicles on their lists.
“While we’ve seen EV sales growth slow and consideration dip, we believe this is part of a normal growth curve and not the end of the story,” said Isabelle Helms, vice president of Research and Market Intelligence at Cox Automotive.
A Case Study in Enhancing Fleet Health and Safety Through Telematics
By Fred Fakkema, VP of Safety and Compliance, Zonar
America depends on its truck drivers to keep the economy moving, but in this high-pressure environment, meeting delivery deadlines can come at the cost of safety practices.
The rush to meet deadlines can lead to speeding, violating driving-hour regulations, and pencil-whipping one of the most crucial steps to safe driving: inspections.
Fortunately, modern telematics, which include electronically verified inspection reports and other vital data, can build efficiency and thoroughness into a fleet’s safety procedures.
Even beyond inspections, telematics can be useful in gathering vital data such as speed, acceleration, braking, and GPS location to streamline operations, manage costs and proactively address issues that could impact a carrier’s safety record.
