Category: Blog

Obama Auto Company Freedom To Profit Over People s Freedom From Harm

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

Auto Industry: Call for Guidance Not Regulation
“WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ —  This evening, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released guidance for the operation of autonomous vehicles. The Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets released the following statement from David Strickland, Coalition spokesperson and general counsel, in response to the guidance:  “This is an important step forward in establishing the basis of a national framework for the deployment of self-driving vehicles…. “We look forward to continued collaboration with NHTSA and other federal and state policymakers to further develop the national framework for safe and timely deployment that avoids a patchwork of requirements that could inhibit self-driving vehicle development and operations.”  See Attached Release by Self Drive Coalition and former Obama Administration appointee NHTSA Administrator Strickland.
President Obama: Worries Regulation Can Go Too Far

“Right now, too many people die on our roads – 35,200 last year alone – with 94 percent of those the result of human error or choice. Automated vehicles have the potential to save tens of thousands of lives each year. And right now, for too many senior citizens and Americans with disabilities, driving isn’t an option. Automated vehicles could change their lives.

Safer, more accessible driving. Less congested, less polluted roads. That’s what harnessing technology for good can look like. But we have to get it right. Americans deserve to know they’ll be safe today even as we develop and deploy the technologies oftomorrow.

That’s why my administration is rolling out new rules of the road for automated vehicles – guidance that the manufacturers developing self-driving cars should follow to keep us safe. And we’re asking them to sign a 15-point safety checklist showing not just the government, but every interested American, how they’re doing it.

We’re also giving guidance to states on how to wisely regulate these new technologies, so that when a self-driving car crosses from Ohio into Pennsylvania, its passengers can be confident that other vehicles will be just as responsibly deployed and just as safe.

Regulation can go too far. Government sometimes gets it wrong when it comes to rapidly changing technologies. That’s why this new policy is flexible and designed to evolve with new advances.”  See http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2016/09/19/Barack-Obama-Self-driving-yes-but-also-safe/stories/201609200027

Joan Claybrook and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety: Guidance Not Enough

“The Department of Transportation (DOT) must use its federal regulatory authority to assure the American public of the safety of autonomous cars. Safety performance standards encourage competition among automotive companies because they help to assure a market for the real innovators and suppliers. The manufacturers always complain about new federal protections, but autonomous cars are a whole new technology with great promise but also with the potential for serious public harm.

We are pleased that DOT is planning to address these issues and seeking public comment for this new system of transportation but it must not shy away from assuring public safety with minimum federal vehicle safety standards. It should not rely instead on mere guidance, including for the initial elements of automatic vehicle operation such as Automatic Emergency Brakes (AEB) that currently is only guided with a useless industry voluntary standard (it was the key element that failed in the Tesla fatal crashes.)  Seehttps://saferoads.org/2018/10/04/advocates-statement-on-u-s-dot-3-0-av-guidelines/

Consumer Reports: Set Safety Standards

President Barack Obama, a strong advocate of driverless cars, voiced his support in an editorial published Tuesday in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“Automated vehicles have the potential to save tens of thousands of lives each year,” he wrote. “And right now, for too many senior citizens and Americans with disabilities, driving isn’t an option. Automated vehicles could change their lives.

“But we have to get it right,” he continued. “Americans deserve to know they’ll be safe today even as we develop and deploy the technologies of tomorrow.”

Consumer Reports supports the development of autonomous technology but believes these cars won’t be widely accepted until consumers can trust they are safe. “We urge the Transportation Department to move quickly to put actual safety standards in place for how these systems are designed and tested, before these vehicles wind up on the road,” Tellado says. 

See http://www.consumerreports.org/self-driving-cars/self-driving-car-guidelines-not-enough-protection-for-consumers/?loginMethod=auto

Documents:

Thanks to Ben Kelley additional public documents are attached.

Saving Kids From Deaths in Hot Cars

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

An excellent article in Forbes tells us of the need and the status of developments in saving kids from dying in hot cars.  See

Twitter link: http://bit.ly/2cd9ZRu

Spread the word to save lives.

Lou

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____________________Lou Lombardowww.CareForCrashVictims.com

Tip Save Your Money – Don’t Overbuy Gasoline Octane

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

In the early 1970’s I was the principal consumer advocate for octane posting on gasoline pumps.   Advocacy resulted in enactment of Title II – Octane Disclosure – of the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (P.L. 95-297) requiring the posting of gasoline octane quality ratings on all gasoline pumps to reduce consumer octane overbuying. Octane overbuying in the 1970s was resulting, each day, in an economic waste of three million consumer dollars, energy waste of one million gallons of gasoline, and air pollution emissions of 400,000 pounds of lead.  See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/about-louis.php

Today we read in the NY Times overbuying is still a problem in the U.S.A.“According to a report this week from AAA, 16.5 million drivers used premium fuel on average at least once a month over the last year, although their cars required only regular grade gasoline, accomplishing nothing positive and wasting $2.1 billion.”  See  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/23/automobiles/dont-waste-money-on-premium-gas-if-your-car-is-made-for-regular.html?hpw&rref=automobiles&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well

See good report and informational materials published by AAA at http://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/09/u-s-drivers-waste-2-1-billion-annually-premium-gasoline/

Nice to see AAA warning Americans about overbuying as we did in the 1970’s when we did not have octane ratings on the pumps.  Americans still need to stop overbuying. But now all gasoline is lead free – and importantly blood lead levels in children are now much lower – though still not low enough from other sources of lead.   Seehttps://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/data/Chart_Website_StateConfirmedByYear_1997_2015.pdf

Lou Lombardo

Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Deception – Scientists Estimate Effects on People

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

Scientists have estimated the effects of diesel emissions from Volkswagen’s deliberate vehicle cheating on U.S. emission tests.

“Abstract “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued a notice of violation against Volkswagen (VW) for installing a defective device in certain models of diesel cars to circumvent emission tests for nitrogen oxides (NOx). We quantified the health and economic impacts of extra NOx emissions attributable to non-compliant vehicles in the U.S. using the EPA’s Co-Benefits Risk Assessment model. We estimated that the total extra NOx emitted over one year of operation would result in 5 to 50 premature deaths, 687 to 17,526 work days with restricted activity, and economic costs of $43,479,189 to $423,268,502, based on various assumptions regarding emission scenarios and risks. This study highlights the potential impacts of VW vehicles’ lack of compliance on the health and well-being of the U.S. population.”
Note:  This is based on one year of operation.  The deception took place over a decade.
For more on VW criminal deception see  http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2016/09/09/business/09reuters-volkswagen-emissions.html“VW has so far set aside about $18 billion to cover the cost of vehicle refits and a settlement with U.S. authorities, but analysts think the bill could rise much further as a result of lawsuits and regulatory penalties.”  See  http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2016/09/21/business/21reuters-volkswagen-emissions-lawsuit.html
Short History of Air Pollution
This is part of a 50 year war on automotive emissions that have harmed people’s health in the U.S., damaged people worldwide, and the planet.  See
1.  As a whistle blower in 1971, I was fired from EPA trying to warn that emission testing by the Nixon EPA was being rigged to benefit auto companies under Administrator William Ruckelshaus.
2.  A recent MIT study found that all automotive emissions, not just diesel emissions, were estimated to be resulting in 53,000 early deaths each year in the U.S.A. today.
3.  Last year, President Obama awarded the Medal of Freedom to William Ruckelshaus.  See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/blog/blog-medal/
Last week, on September 15, 2016, I commented on a NY Times article “Pardon Snowden” on whistle blowing.   I received the NY Times link athttp://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/opinion/pardon-edward-snowden.html?comments#permid=19799984:19805678
I had made the three points above about my experience as a whistle blower.  Within a couple of hours my comments were recommended by more than 150 readers.   One reader replied saying that my comments were “the scariest post” he had ever read.
Then the NY Times removed my comments and those of the people who had replied to my comments.
Lou Lombardo

50 Years of Air Pollution by Vehicles 53 000 Early Deaths Per Year in U S A Today

Dear Care For Crash Victims Community Members:

Vehicle Violence – Deaths By Air Pollution

A recent MIT study found that about 200,000 early deaths result each year from air pollution in the U.S.A. today.  53,000 early deaths per year due to vehicle emissions.

“Researchers from MIT’s Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment have come out with some sobering new data on air pollution’s impact on Americans’ health.

“The group tracked ground-level emissions from sources such as industrial smokestacks, vehicle tailpipes, marine and rail operations, and commercial and residential heating throughout the United States, and found that such air pollution causes about 200,000 early deaths each year. Emissions from road transportation are the most significant contributor, causing 53,000 premature deaths, followed closely by power generation, with 52,000….”

“Barrett says that a person who dies from an air pollution-related cause typically dies about a decade earlier than he or she otherwise might have….

“The greatest number of emissions-related premature deaths came from road transportation, with 53,000 early deaths per year attributed to exhaust from the tailpipes of cars and trucks.”   See  http://news.mit.edu/2013/study-air-pollution-causes-200000-early-deaths-each-year-in-the-us-0829

The 50 Year War for Healthy Clean Air

50 years ago I came to Washington to work on air pollution control in the Public Health Service (PHS).  In 1967, in the PHS, as a Management Intern, I had a 3 month assignment to help with the Third National Conference on Air Pollution.I was new to Washington ways and called my former Connecticut Congressman’s Office and asked if I could escort him through the exhibits.He said yes and when I arrived at his office he introduced me to a lobbyist from Hartford Electric Light and Power, and asked if it was OK to bring him along.  I said yes and we went to the Hotel.As we walked in the first exhibit was a map of the U.S. filled with little yellow lights all blinking at different rates.  He said what are these 3 blinking lights around Hartford?  I said each time a light blinked it represented hundreds of pounds of sulfur dioxide emitted.  He said what was the source?  I said power plants.Then we went into see an exhibit showing a brief film the agency had created.  Watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd6I36UQWccWhen we came out the lobbyist was nearly apoplectic.   He was pounding his fists on an imaginary desk saying:“Congressman!  Congressman!  This is downright communistic!  My tax dollars going to produce such propaganda! “The Congressman put his arm around the lobbyist and said: “Now, now, easy.  You don’t want to have a heart attack.”  Together, they left the exhibit hall.The Emission Testing ScandalIn late 1970, President Nixon reorganized the air pollution control program and other PHS programs into the EPA.  Nixon’s political move was to appear progressive while downgrading the mission of pollution control from protecting human health to protecting the environment.  The symbol of EPA, to this day, is a flower.  See https://www3.epa.gov/  And https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-history

Unbeknownst to me at the time, in April 1971, Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca met with Nixon in the White House and discussed changing test procedures for the measurement of tail pipe emissions.  Later in 1971, I blew the whistle on changes in test procedures and was fired from EPA under Ruckelshaus.  I was then stonewalled by EPA for documents on the test changes.  I subsequently sued the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for access to deliberations of the NAS Committee on Motor Vehicle Emissions that the Clean Air Act authorized to review EPA actions.  In 1975, Judge Sirica ruled that the NAS was not subject to the FOIA and FACA and the documents continue to be withheld from the public – to this day.  See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/1970-PolutionControlEfforts.php

Note:  Last year President Obama awarded Ruckelshaus the Medal of Freedom.  See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/blog/blog-medal/

Emissions Test Cheating Today
Today, Volkswagen has admitted to cheating for years on diesel emissions testing.  See  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/10/business/international/vw-criminal-charge-diesel.html?ref=international&_r=0
A Release by the Center for Auto Safety on seeking legal remedies is at https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/blog/blog-cassues/

As of today, on road emission tests of all vehicle engines – not just diesels – need to be investigated.  The collusion of the auto industry and government has gone on far too long to the detriment of Americans – past, present, and future.

The public has been breathing harmful pollution for decades with millions of Americans suffering and losing years of their lives.  We who are still living are also losing our planet.
Hope for Our Future Is Up To Us
In 1970, MIT students took the initiative to demonstrate how we could meet stringent air pollution emission standards.  And today California officials are setting goals.See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/blog/blog-climatechangeleadershipfromcaliforniaofficials/
Today citizens are organizing and need everyone’s support.
“John Olivieri, National Campaign Director for 21st Century Transportation at the United States Public Interest Research Group said, “Today, more than 80,000 Americans made their voice heard and demanded cleaner and healthier transportation options. This is an historic moment. We sincerely hope that the Department of Transportation will now take action to clean up our nation’s transportation system. The health of our citizens and the health of our planet are at stake.””  See http://uspirg.org/news/usp/80000-americans-mayors-clean-tech-groups-state-and-city-leaders-call-cleaner-transportation
If we don’t act, it won’t be just government by, and for the people that shall perish.
Lou Lombardo

50th Anniversary of Auto and Highway Safety Laws September 9th

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

Fair Warning has again done a wonderful public service of publishing a timely, informative, Editorial by Ben Kelley for use by the media.

September 9th is the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s signing of the Federal Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety laws.

The subject is of life or death importance.   After 50 years, how many Americans are aware that we continue to suffer nearly 100 deaths, 400 serious injuries, and losses valued by government estimates at $2 billion due to vehicle violence – every  average day in the U.S.A. today.  See http://www.fairwarning.org/2016/09/miles-go-highway-safety/
The media would do the public a valuable service by carrying this Editorial this Friday and help prevent needless deaths by vehicle violence.
America is on the road to counting its 4 millionth crash death in the next decade unless we make a determined effort to end vehicle violence.  See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/assets/MonthlyReportforJanuary2016-Corrected.pdf

Lou Lombardo

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____________________Lou Lombardowww.CareForCrashVictims.com

Advocates Press Release on 50th Anniversary of Safety Laws Sept 9th

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

Watch for how many of the media give their readers and viewers information on this continuing tragic problem life or death importance.

Watch for how the media conveys the facts that every day in the U.S.A. today an average of 100 Americans lose their lives and 400 suffer serious injuries due to vehicle violence.

The Release follows:cid:image001.png@01D03A1C.727E27B0

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2016                                                          

Contact: Allison Kennedy, 202-408-1711, akennedy@saferoads.org

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

TOMORROW, SEPTEMBER 9, MARKS THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF

THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT AND

THE HIGHWAY SAFETY ACT

 

Safety Standards, Programs and Interventions are More Important Now than Ever as Recently Released 2015 Traffic Fatality Data Shows

Largest Percentage Increase in Deaths in Nearly 50 Years

On September 9, 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Highway Safety Act were signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson (photo and statement available here). These laws were an important step in curbing needless deaths and injuries on our roads and highways from motor vehicle crashes. Enactment of the laws resulted in the establishment of safety standards, a coordinated national highway safety program and the creation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency was first led by Dr. William Haddon, a physician and leading expert on crash research and prevention. In 1966, when the bills were signed into law, over 50,000 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

During President Johnson’s 1966 State of the Union address, he urged that the highway safety agency be created.  Both bills passed Congress with nearly unanimous votes.  For the first time in history, the federal government took a proactive role in setting uniform motor vehicle safety standards, highway safety requirements and other safety measures.

Since this lifesaving agency was created, the fatality toll has steadily decreased with some ups and downs in the number.  Laws and programs administered by NHTSA are estimated to have saved over 453,000 lives since 1975.[1]

However, there is still a major unfinished safety agenda and the new 2015 data clearly indicates that motor vehicle crashes continue to be a serious and significant public health and safety problem. Research and experience have shown that uniform vehicle safety standards and strong traffic safety laws save lives. For example, in 2015 almost 14,000 lives were saved by seatbelts for passengers five years of age and older. Further, electronic stability control saved almost 1,600 lives in 2014, and last year frontal airbags saved more than 2,500 lives. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) urges all states to pass laws that will reduce the death and injury toll on our streets and highways. The 2016 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, published annually by Advocates, identifies more than 300 laws necessary for all states to adequately protect motorists. The report can be found online at www.saferoads.org.

Joan Claybrook, the fifth Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration during the Carter Administration and Consumer Co-Chair of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, is available for interviews. She attended the bill signing ceremony in 1966 and can be reached at:  (202) 364-8755.  Please also contact Advocates for further information and interviews.

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[1] Traffic Safety Facts 2014: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System, NHTSA, DOT HS 812 261.

[1] Traffic Safety Facts 2014: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System, NHTSA, DOT HS 812 261.

Lou Lombardo