L.A. DRVNG | Blog & News

Waymo’s Robotaxis Now Fully Operational in Los Angeles

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Credit: gibblesmash asdf via Unsplash

Waymo’s robotaxis have officially entered the Los Angeles market, but residents might find their service less convenient than traditional rideshares like Uber and Lyft. While Waymo’s fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) are accessible 24/7 through the Waymo One app and no longer require a waitlist, their operation comes with significant restrictions and concerns that may limit their appeal in a city as complex as Los Angeles.

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Safest Cars of 2024: Highlights from the IIHS Awards

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Source: Consumer Reports


The
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tightened its requirements for the 2024 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards.
These changes include stricter crash tests, particularly rear-seat and pedestrian protection.
As a result, fewer vehicles received the coveted
Top Safety Pick+ rating this year.
The majority of winners are small and midsize SUVs, with Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis leading the list.
Toyota and Lexus follow closely behind.
Notable awardees include the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and Genesis G80.

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The Importance of Vehicle Recalls

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As a driving instruction provider, one of our top priorities is ensuring the safety of our clients on the road at all times.

A key aspect of this is not only teaching safe driving habits but also emphasizing the importance of vehicle maintenance and awareness of recalls.

Recent recalls from major car manufacturers such as BMW, Toyota, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep highlight the critical need for drivers to stay informed about potential safety issues.

Dive into some of the latest recall news and why they matter for every driver.
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Navigating Stress Behind the Wheel

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April marks Stress Awareness Month, an annual campaign dedicated to shedding light on the pervasive issue of stress and promoting effective strategies to manage it.

While stress affects us in various aspects of our lives, one area that often goes overlooked is the stress associated with driving.

Whether it's the daily commute, navigating through heavy traffic, or dealing with aggressive drivers, stress behind the wheel is a common experience that can have significant implications for our safety and well-being.Continue reading....


Waymo announces voluntary recall for driverless robotaxis

On February 14, 2024, Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous vehicle division, announced a landmark voluntary recall to address a software issue in its driverless cars. This decision came after two incidents on December 11, 2023, in Phoenix, where robotaxis collided with a towed pickup truck under similar circumstances, leading to minor vehicle damage but no injuries or passengers involved.

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Image: Daniel Ramirez (via Flicker)

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In L.A., car crashes killed more people than homicides in 2023


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Police at the scene in Pacoima this month where a pedestrian was hit and killed by three cars and where all three drivers failed to stop. (OnScene.TV)

In 2023, Los Angeles experienced more deaths due to car crashes than homicides, marking the first time in a decade that traffic fatalities exceeded homicides. A total of 336 people died in crashes, with pedestrians accounting for more than half of these deaths (179), the highest number in over two decades.
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Hyundai Mobis unveils an array of mobility technologies at CES 2024

Hyundai Mobis took center stage at CES 2024, with a showcase of 20 pioneering mobility technologies, positioning itself at the forefront of automotive innovation. The presentation highlighted the company's dedication to advancing autonomous driving, connectivity, and electrification.

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Hyundai Mobis has unveiled the MOBION, equipped with state-of-the-art ‘e-Corner System’ electric vehicle mobility technologies (Photo: Disclosure)Continue reading....


New CA law protects drivers from police “pretextual stops"

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Starting January 1st, 2024, per
Assembly Bill 2773, police officers can no longer pull over drivers and initiate any interaction with the motorist without first articulating a reasonable suspicion for the stop – and they must do that before asking any other question.Continue reading....


CA DMV orders Cruise driverless cars off the roads

California has ordered the company Cruise to immediately stop operations of its driverless cars in the state. The Department of Motor Vehicles said on Tuesday that it was issuing the indefinite suspension because of safety issues with the vehicles.Continue reading....


Speed cameras are coming!

Assembly Bill 645 authorizes the implementation of a Speed Safety System Pilot Program using speed enforcement camera systems in the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland and Glendale.Continue reading....