Issues

Tributes to CAS Executive Director Clarence M. Ditlow, III

November 16, 2016

The Guardian Angel for America’s Motorist – Ralph Nader Clarence Ditlow, a Passionate Advocate for Car Safety, Dies – Consumer Reports Clarence Ditlow, crusading consumer advocate for auto safety, dies at 72 – Washington Post Consumers and Environment Lose a Dauntless Champion, Clarence Ditlow III – US PIRG Clarence M. Ditlow III, Auto Safety Crusader,…

Statement of the Center for Auto Safety on the Death of Executive Director Clarence M. Ditlow III

November 11, 2016

November 11, 2016 Clarence M. Ditlow, III, the Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety since 1976, died on November 10 at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington. He was 72 years old. Spanning four decades, his work forced the auto industry to make vast improvements in the safety, reliability and fuel efficiency…

Driverless cars, ethics and public safety

October 26, 2016

October 25, 2016 by Michael R. Lemov On Sept. 20, the Department of Transportation, by law our primary national traffic safety enforcement agency, issued its long awaited “guidelines” for the development and sale of driverless cars. The Department attempted, Solomon-like, to balance its guidance between ensuring public safety and promoting the speedy development of driverless…

CAS Statement on Volkswagen $15 Billion Emissions Settlement

October 25, 2016

October 25, 2016 Judge Charles Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California today gave final approval for a $14.7 billion settlement in the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal.  This settlement provides owners of 475,000 VW TDI diesels with two options: Owners may sell their vehicle back to Volkswagen and receive compensation…

Markey, Blumenthal on New Transportation Dept. Auto Cybersecurity Guidance: It’s A Take-Home Exam for Failing Students

October 25, 2016

Monday, October 24, 2016 Senators have introduced legislation to protect drivers from auto security, privacy risks Washington (October 24, 2016) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), members of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement today after the Department of Transportation unveiled proposed guidance for improving motor vehicle…

ARC Airbag Inflator Ruptures

October 13, 2016

NHTSA General Order – 10/5/16 NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Response to ARC – 10/4/16 EA16-003 Information Request to ARC – 8/9/16 EA16-003 Opening Resume – 8/4/16 NEWS Gov’t: U.S. air bag parts maker ARC Automotive is stonewalling probe of death – 10/12/16  

Federal Government Sells Vehicles with Unrepaired Safety Recalls

October 11, 2016

NEWS Federal cars getting auctioned off with open safety recalls – 10/6/2016 KFOX14 Investigates: Government selling cars with open recalls in Borderland – 10/6/2016 Federal agency under fire for selling recalled cars – 10/6/2016

Don’t Waste Money on Premium Gas if Your Car Is Made for Regular – 9/22/16

September 26, 2016

With the typical new passenger vehicle costing more than $33,000, American drivers understandably want to do everything they can to preserve their investments. And what better way to do that than by spending a few extra cents per gallon and occasionally treating your car to a tank of premium fuel? Don’t do it. Unless one…

U.S. DOT issues Federal Policy for safe testing and deployment of automated vehicles 

September 20, 2016

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 Contact: DOT Press Office, 202-366-4570, [email protected] Four-Part Policy Lays the Foundation for the Next Revolution in Roadway Safety WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation is issuing Federal policy for automated vehicles, laying a path for the safe testing and deployment of new auto technologies that have enormous potential for improving…

Fiat Chrysler recalling 1.9M vehicles for airbag defect linked to 3 deaths

September 16, 2016

WASHINGTON — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said today it is recalling 1.9 million vehicles worldwide for an airbag defect that is linked to three deaths and five injuries. The recall is to resolve a defect that may prevent deployment of airbags and seat-belt pretensioners in some crashes. The recall includes models sold between 2010 and 2014,…