Category: Blog

How Bob Simon’s Tragic Death Can Make Us All Safer


How Bob Simon’s Tragic Death Can Make Us All Safer

February, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

One of my most enduring early lessons learned when I first came to Washington in the late 1960s was that too often it takes a tragedy to make progress.

Today an excellent article by John Cichowski quotes safety advocates Clarence Ditlow and Jacki Gillan opening the question of how such tragedies can be prevented in the future.  That question is perhaps the best tribute to Bob Simon’s life.  See http://www.northjersey.com/news/new-york-tri-state-area/could-rear-air-bags-have-saved-bob-simon-1.1271812?page=all

USA Today’s Larry Copeland also wrote an excellent article that explored the injury problems of unbuckled people in taxis and the lack of laws requiring people in backseats to be buckled up.  See http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/13/no-seat-belt-violation-in-simon-crash/23354289/ Bob Simon’s life and tragic death can continue to do good for humankind forever.

Let us help make it so.

Lou

 

NY City Officer Dies of Crash Injuries – Uncounted by NHTSA


NY City Officer Dies of Crash Injuries – Uncounted by NHTSA

January, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:
Victim Dies A Year After Crash
The recent tragic death of a crash victim highlights how NHTSA ignores thousands of crash deaths each year.

“An MTA officer succumbed Monday to injuries he suffered when he was struck last year by a car on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the agency said.

Thomas Choi, 62, is the first officer to die in the line of duty in the 81-year history of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, also known as the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.

Choi was struck when he was removing barrels while reopening the Brooklyn-bound lower level of the bridge on Oct. 20, 2013. The lower level of the bridge is closed on weekends from midnight until about 8 a.m.

He was treated at Staten Island University Hospital and Seaview Rehabilitation Center but never regained consciousness, the MTA said.

“Officer Choi dedicated himself to serving and protecting everyone who travels the bridges and tunnels that unite New York, and all of us at the MTA join in mourning him,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said in a news release. “We send our deepest condolences to his family.”  See

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/12/29/mta-officer-struck-by-car-on-verrazano-bridge-dies-from-injuries/

NHTSA Does Not Count Such Crash Deaths

Would this Officer’s death be counted by NHTSA in FARS 2013 files when the crash occurred, or in the 2014 files when this Officer died a year later? The answer from NHTSA is that in neither year would his death of crash injuries be counted.  NHTSA only counts deaths of crash injured people if they die within 30 days of the crash.   So how many crash victims die after 30 days and are not counted by NHTSA?  The National Safety Council estimates that about 800 – 1,000 crash victims die of their “in traffic” injuries more than 30 days after the crash.

The National Safety Council also counts “not in traffic” crash deaths that occur in driveways, parking lots, and on private roads that NHTSA does not currently include in FARS.  Add these two NHTSA practices of  minimization of crash deaths and one finds a NHTSA policy undercount of nearly 3,000 crash deaths per year – nearly 10 American crash deaths per day.  Source: http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/injury-facts.aspx
Inline image 1

NHTSA Misses Many Crash Deaths
NHTSA’s failures are symbolized by the classic NY Times art showing three NHTSA crash test dummies that don’t see, hear, or speak evil:Inline image 1

For decades, the Center for Auto Safety in its “Missing In FARS” campaign has documented defective data collection of crash deaths by NHTSA.  See http://www.autosafety.org/campaigns/24
NHTSA, under criticism for more than a decade of failures to protect Americans, politically prefers to downplay the problem.   The most recent example of NHTSA “not seeing” or “not speaking” is its failure to mention the effects of the Great Recession in declining crash deaths obvious in the above graph.  Here is NHTSA’s latest press release: “WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released the 2013 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data that shows a 3.1 percent decrease from the previous year and a nearly 25 percent decline in overall highway deaths since 2004. In 2013, 32,719 people died in traffic crashes.”  Seehttp://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2014/traffic-deaths-decline-in-2013
Pedestrian Safety in NYC
NY Times reports some promising news for NYC, but perhaps a little premature in view of the time lag between injury and death: “In 2014, 132 pedestrians died in traffic accidents, the lowest total for a year since the city began keeping records a century ago, officials said. There were 180 pedestrian deaths in 2013, the highest number in a decade.

Overall traffic fatalities fell last year to 248, from 293 the previous year, according to preliminary data from the city. There were 20 bicyclist fatalities in 2014, an increase from 12 deaths in 2013, and 37 motorcyclist fatalities last year, down from 42 deaths in 2013. Motor vehicle fatalities remained the same, with 59 deaths in each year.

The decline in pedestrians’ deaths comes as the city continues to put in place Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero plan, a set of proposals intended to eliminate traffic deaths. Modeled after a Swedish approach that treats all road deaths and serious injuries as inherently preventable, the plan has an ambitious goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2024. The city lowered its default speed limit to 25 miles per hour, from 30 m.p.h., and increased enforcement of speeding laws, among other initiatives.

“There is no question we are moving this city in the right direction, thanks to stepped up enforcement by the N.Y.P.D., strong traffic safety measures by the Department of Transportation, new laws passed by our legislators and the work of New Yorkers fighting for change,” the mayor said in a statement this week.”  See 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/02/nyregion/new-york-pedestrian-deaths-are-lowest-on-record.html?emc=eta1

Let us work in the new year so that fewer crash victims occur.   A good start for NHTSA would be for NHTSA to do better at counting crash deaths.

Lou

 

OnStar & Progressive Insurance Partnership and Your Safety and Privacy


OnStar & Progressive Insurance Partnership and Your Safety and Privacy

January, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:
New Partners for Driving Information
Information available in vehicles is briefly described in Wikipedia as:“The modern automobile may have as many as 70 electronic control units (ECU) for various subsystems. (JLR use 83 in the latest Range Rover) .[6] Typically the biggest processor is the engine control unit. Others are used fortransmission, airbags, antilock braking/ABS, cruise control, electric power steering, audio systems, power windows, doors, mirror adjustment, battery and recharging systems for hybrid/electric cars, etc. Some of these form independent subsystems, but communications among others are essential. A subsystem may need to control actuators or receive feedback from sensors. The CAN standard was devised to fill this need.”  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN_bus
Progressive Snapshot Device Vulnerabilities
A hacking expert has evaluated the Progressive Snapshot device and found hacker vulnerabilities:“Thuen called the outdated tech being used in Snapshot “highly troubling” as it is vulnerable to attack. “A skilled attacker could almost certainly compromise such dongles to gain remote control of a vehicle, or even an entire fleet of vehicles. Once compromised, the consequences range from privacy data loss to life and limb.””  

An article in Network World addresses security loopholes in Progressive Snapshot device.  See article and comments at:  http://www.networkworld.com/article/2871485/microsoft-subnet/hackers-could-exploit-security-holes-in-progressive-insurance-snapshot-devices.html

Forbes reports that Progressive responded as follows:“Progressive said it hadn’t heard from Thuen, but handed this comment via email to Forbes: “The safety of our customers is paramount to us. We are confident in the performance of our Snapshot device – used in more than two million vehicles since 2008 – and routinely monitor the security of our device to help ensure customer safety.”  See http://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2015/01/15/researcher-says-progressive-insurance-dongle-totally-insecure/

Inventor Entrepreneur Effort to Protect Privacy and Safety

Tom Kowalick offers his vision of a safety and privacy protection system at http://vimeo.com/115537605

Lou

 

Crash Deaths Now To Be Much Greater in Red States Than in Blue States


Crash Deaths Now To Be Much Greater in Red States Than in Blue States

January, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

The Washington Post’s Reid Wilson reported and documented that the control of State Legislatures will be heavily Republican in 2015.   Seven State Legislatures will be controlled by Democrats: HI, CA, OR, VT, CT, RI, and DE.  All except VT and DE had crash fatality rates per 100,000 people that were lower (better) than the national average of 10.69 in 2012.  

Twenty-four State Legislatures in 2015 will be controlled by Republicans: All except UT, NV, MI, and OH had crash fatality rates higher (worse) than the national average of 10.69 crash deaths per 100,000 population.  The States with Republican controlled legislatures  that had worse than average crash fatality rates in 2012 are WI, NE, ID, IN, TX, GA, FL, NC, AZ, KS, SD, LA, TN, SC, OK, AL, AR, MS, ND, WY.   

It is clear that many more people are likely to die of crash injuries in Red States in the next two years than in Blue States.  See State crash fatalities and rates in 2012 (latest data available) attached.
Readers can see the number of Crash Deaths in each State and each Congressional District for the years 2002 – 2011 using Crash Death Mapping Tools at https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/CrashDeathMappingTools.php
And today we hear that the drop in gasoline prices may result in an increase in crash deaths – perhaps thousands more – as people drive more.  See  http://www.npr.org/2015/01/06/375308884/the-downside-of-cheaper-gas-more-accident-fatalities
Thus, elected officials have a more urgent bi-partisan need to act to prevent the next two years from resulting in more tragic crashes than the last two years.
Lou

 

State of Union Address 2015 – Will America Finally Get Its Vision Zero Goal?


State of Union Address 2015 – Will America Finally Get Its Vision Zero Goal?

January, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

Safety Opportunity & Need On January 20, 2015 President Obama is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address.

President Obama has been in charge of NHTSA for 6 years. And in each of those 6 years he has failed to set a Vision Zero Goal — for crash deaths and serious injuries in or by a new car by 2024 — for Americans.  

*  Volvo has such a goal. 
*  Mayor de Blasio also set such a goal for NY City.  See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/blog-volvotrackzero.php
*  The Swedish Parliament, in 1997, adopted a “Vision Zero” policy that requires that fatalities and serious injurious be reduced to zero by 2020.
All are making progress.

President Obama, however, has not yet set a Vision Zero Goal for the U.S.A.  And crashes in the U.S.A. under President  Obama’s expected 8 years in Office are on track to record 250,000 crash deaths, 1 million serious crash injuries, and $7 Trillion in societal losses.  Current daily rate in the U.S.A. is nearly 100 crash deaths, 400 serious injuries, and $2 Billion per day.  

President Obama has appointed people who have failed to adequately protect Americans from crash injuries.  NHTSA’s failures are symbolized by the classic NY Times art showing three NHTSA crash test dummies that neither see, hear, nor speak of evil.

Inline image 1

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/opinion/weak-oversight-deadly-cars.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw%2C{%221%22%3A%22RI%3A10%22}Empathy or Indifference?President Obama, VP Biden, and NHTSA Administrator Rosekind each have personal knowledge of the tragedies of crash deaths and serious injuries.  So will they act to set a worthy 10 year goal to end such tragedies?  See http://www.fairwarning.org/2012/09/a-strange-indifference-to-highway-carnage/ There are safety scientists and engineers all over the world that believe this worthy goal is achievable.  Unfortunately, mostly these safety experts work in organizations that value immediate profits over auto safety improvements.  Safety technologies sit on shelves awaiting government mandates and corporate decisions to purchase safety technologies. These scientists and engineers, as well as citizens everywhere, need and hunger for leadership and commitment.  As Ralph Nader has said:“This country has far more problems than it deserves and far more solutions than it applies.” See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/blog-vpbidenzero.php

Empathic Presidential Leadership 
In 1938, FDR created the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.  In 1955, less than 20 years later, using technologies of the 1950s the Salk vaccine for polio was created.
Imagine what empathic presidential leadership today could accomplish using 21st century technologies to achieve a Vision Zero Goal for crash deaths and serious injuries in a decade.

As the proverbs (29:18) have advised humankind for 2,000 years:  “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

President Obama:  You can do it!  Yes you can.
Lou

 

Delete the Jan. 31, 2015 Deadline of the GM Ignition Switch Compensation Program


Delete the Jan. 31, 2015 Deadline of the GM Ignition Switch Compensation Program

January, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

The GM Ignition Switch Compensation Plan – Status

The GM Plan is scheduled to end January 31, 2015.  See http://www.gmignitioncompensation.com/index

As of January 16, 2015 the GM Plan reports 2,818 claims received and only 121 claims deemed eligible.   *  49 claims eligible out of 311 claims made for fatalities

*    7 claims eligible out of 207 claims made for catastrophic injuries

*  65 claims eligible out of 2,300 claims made for hospitalization injuries

See http://www.gmignitioncompensation.com/docs/program_Statistics.pdf

The GM Ignition Switch Compensation Plan – Needs Extension
The number of claims made appear to be too few in comparison with the number of GM fatalities each year over the calendar year period 2001 – 2013 during which ignition switch related deaths and injuries occurred and continue to occur.   NHTSA data on GM Vehicles in Fatal Crashes by year are as follows: Crash        Fatal           TotalYear          Crashes     Fatalities 2001        15,543        17,699 2002        15,366        17,524 2003        15,097        17,159 2004        14,986        17,065 2005        14,631        16,633 2006        13,889        15,704 2007        13,208        14,917 2008        11,797        13,192 2009        10,540        11,914 2010        10,268        11,404 2011          9,714        10,828 2012        10,094        11,265 2013          9,580        10,617
                 _______________ Total        164,713       185,921
In 2013, GM vehicles involved in fatal crashes resulted in 10,617 crash deaths, i.e., an average of 29 American deaths per day in the U.S.A.   This is occurring in the 21st Century.
These 10,617 crash deaths involving GM vehicles in 2013, valued at $9.1 million in accordance with DOT Policy Guidance (copy attached) amount to a societal loss of $96 billion in monetary terms — not moral terms.
Note: Not all of these GM deaths are ignition switch related.  But NHTSA should publish an analysis of these fatal crashes to determine how many may have been.  And what more could GM and NHTSA have done to reduce their contribution to all these tragedies then and now. It is neither fair, nor moral, for GM to place the onus on crash victims families to have to document, to the satisfaction of GM, their claims – especially without help from NHTSA and other government agencies.  And do so in the few short months of the GM designed plan. 
The January 31, 2015, GM created, deadline for receiving claims from victims is unfair, immoral, and untenable.  Millions of Americans continue to be at risk.  A recent reported fatality occurred on Oct. 9, 2014.  See http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/04/business/Recalled-GM-cars-remain-unrepaired-as-safety-concerns-persist.html The arbitrary deadline for claims should be deleted by GM.  If necessary, it should be done under pressure from NHTSA and the Justice Department.  It is the right thing to do.
With 185,921 GM deaths – not including serious injuries – we need an independent national Crash Victims Commission to examine what can be done to reduce such tragedies.  One recommendation would be for NHTSA to publish fatality and injury data by auto company to spur competition for safety advances.  See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/assets/MonthlyReport-May2014.pdf Lest NHTSA or GM seek shelter in the declines since 2006, we must recall that one major factor was the effect of the Great Recession.  See NHTSA Figure 1 http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812093.pdf
Additional Information on GM Ignition Recall 
GM and NHTSA can and must act this week to protect Americans, compensate victims, and build a Safer America.  Delete the GM deadline, now please.
Lou

 

Safety Inequality in America: Fatal Risk for Used Car Buyers


Safety Inequality in America: Fatal Risk for Used Car Buyers

January, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

NY Times Reports:“Buying a used car in the United States can be a dangerous proposition — if the vehicle has an unadvertised safety defect.

This month, Carlos Solis died after the airbag in a used car he bought last year from a Texas dealer exploded, sending a piece of metal into his neck. Mr. Solis, 35, was not aware when he bought the vehicle that its airbags could be defective and had been recalled, according to a lawsuit filed by his family on Friday….”

“Federal laws do not require used-car dealers to repair vehicles with safety defects before putting the cars back into public use. Nor are dealers required by law to disclose to customers that a vehicle is the subject of a recall. Legislation to address the issue has languished in Congress.

With no progress in legislation, consumers are left on their own to check whether a used vehicle has been recalled for a safety defect, by running their vehicle identification numbers through the federal safety database or on an automobile manufacturer’s website, or by purchasing a vehicle history report from a vendor like Carfax.”

See http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/31/business/buyers-of-used-cars-are-left-to-find-recalls-on-their-own.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150130&nlid=37926955&tntemail0=y&_r=0