Waymo’s Robotaxis Now Fully Operational in Los Angeles
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.
Continue reading....
Safest Cars of 2024: Highlights from the IIHS Awards
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.
The Importance of Vehicle Recalls
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.Continue reading....
Navigating Stress Behind the Wheel
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
Image: Daniel Ramirez (via Flicker)
Continue reading....
In L.A., car crashes killed more people than homicides in 2023
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. Continue reading....
US highways are getting deadlier, with fatalities up 22%
In 2022, there were 46,000 fatalities nationwide. How many of those were distracted driving related? The NHTSA says, less than 10%.
(Above) The wreckage of a 2019 Buick Encore after a January 2020 crash. The car smashed into a tree, and the driver had to climb out of the burning wreckage. She admitted she was texting with her sister. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)Continue reading....