Top 5 Obstacles for Self-Driving Cars

While there are many safety benefits, autonomous vehicles have not yet been perfected. Sure they don’t drive drunk or send text messages while driving on the expressway, but they still have their shortcomings. Neal Boudette of The New York Times recently reviewed the Top 5 things that are giving self-driving cars issues while they continue to develop:

1) Unpredictable Human Error Accidents

While self-driving cars use computer algorithms in order to obey the rules of the road and other basic driving functions, they have no control over how other drivers behave. What is a self-driving car to do when a manually driven car goes 20 miles per hour over the speed limit or is barreling down a one-way street going the wrong direction? Boudette writes, “One solution is to equip cars with transponders that communicate their position, speed and direction to other vehicles. This is known as vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and it is similar to how airplanes avoid each other in the air.” 

2) Bad Weather Accidents

Self-driving cars can easily navigate Michigan roads during the summer months, but what happens when snow, ice and fog start to factor into dangerous road conditions? Autonomous vehicles utilize cameras that track lines on the pavement in order to keep the vehicle in its lane, but that becomes a problem when snow is covering the ground. As Boudette points out, a large puddle cased by a heavy rainstorm may look like blacktop to the car’s sensors. “In reports that Google and others have filed with California authorities about their on-road tests of autonomous cars, weather was a prime cause of system failures after which human drivers had to take back control,” Boudette reports. 

 

3) Detour Auto Accidents

 As road conditions and road repairs develop, maps can become out of date quickly. This can become an obstacle for self-driving vehicles such as Google’s cars which “rely heavily on highly detailed three-dimensional maps- far more detailed than those in Google maps- that communicate the location of intersections, stop signs, on-ramps and building with the cars’ computer systems.”

 

 

4) It Might Be a Puddle. Or Not. 

Self-Driving cars struggle to differentiate between obstacles in the road such as puddles, potholes or an oil spot. Using their radar, lasers and HD cameras to scan the roads, the vehicle can only scan what is on the road surface, not what’s below. Boudette recalled a recent ride he took in a self-driving car when the vehicle unexpectedly slowed down because it was confused by a dark area on the road which turned out to just be a shadow from an overpass. 

“Google and other companies hope more precise laser-based sensors, known as lidar, and other technology will make it easier for driverless cars to spot potholes-as opposed to shadows-and avoid them. Another possible solution: smart roadways that communicate with automated vehicles and warn them of hazards ahead like traffic accidents and potholes,” Boudette explained. 

 

5) Making Tough Decisions 

Perhaps the most complicated of them all, self-driving vehicles may be forced to make tough and complicated ethical driving decisions. Boudette gives an example: “In the midst of busy traffic, a ball bounces into the road, pursued by two running children. If a self-driving car’s only options are to hit the children or veer right and strike a telephone pole, potentially injuring or killing the car’s occupants, what does it do?” For now, there is no concrete answer to this dilemma. 

While we wait for self-driving cars to work out the kinks, we still need to pay attention to human drivers who struggle to make the right decisions while on the road. If you or somebody you know has been involved in a car accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Work with a lawyer who is experienced in handing accidents of all sizes.  Our legal team will work alongside you to identify your area of needs and get you the appropriate help. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Driving While Watching Porn Causes Michigan Man's Death

The Michigan State Police recently investigated a car accident in which a 58 year-old man crashed his car and died while he was watching porn on his phone while driving. The incident occurred around 3:30 A.M. on a Sunday when a car was reported to have crashed on the ramp from Lodge to I-75, in Detroit, Michigan. The driver of the car was later determined to be Clifford Ray Jones of Detroit, Michigan.

Jones's 1996 Toyota rolled on the ramp causing Jones to be ejected from the driver's seat and thrown out of the sunroof. Furthermore, after the investigation determined that Jones was distracted by the porn video on his phone, it was also revealed that he was not wearing a seat belt.

According to Lt. Mike Shaw, this is one of the many cases that he has seen where technology distracted drivers. However, this was the first time he had seen a person watching porn on his phone, as the form of distraction. He stated that ‘We see people putting on makeup, we see people doing different things as far as hygiene, as far as reading books, it’s almost to the fact there’s so much technology out there, a lot of people are more paying attention to what they’re doing other than driving their cars.”

Whether it is talking on the phone while driving, texting while driving, using GPS, or another phone function, using technology can be deadly for drivers. It should be considered common sense to not watch a movie on a phone while driving. However, many people have a habit of using technology while driving and believing that situations like Mr. Jones's could never happen to them. Though this particular incident may seem like a peculiar outlier, it should be considered a serious warning to those who use their phones while driving, as it ended in a man's death. Even if drivers are willing to put their own lives at risk by driving while distracted, they should consider the lives of those driving around them. One missed phone call or one missed text message could save a life.

If you know someone or are someone has a victim of a distracted driver, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Speak to a lawyer who is experienced in handling all types of Michigan motor vehicle accidents, including those involving technology and other forms of distracted driving accidents. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM, for a free consultation. Don't let a distracted driver's bad decisions hinder your recovery.

Michigan Bill Will Transfer Road Funding From Cities to Residents

A bill was passed by the Michigan legislature recently that could change the funding formula for how repairs to freeways and highways are paid for. With Governor Snyder’s approval, the bill would change a funding system which has been in place since 1951. 

Traditionally, larger cities were responsible for paying for part of any freeway or highway project that came through their city limits. Many expensive road repair projects in Michigan are needed in the near future, including a $1 Billion project on I-75. -The Michigan Department of Transportation told the Detroit Free Press that most of the road funding comes from the state and federal levels, and cities provide as much as 2.5% of the total cost. When the project costs millions, 2.5% can be a large bill for some Michigan cities. 

“This bill will mean more taxpayer dollars from home will stay at home, so that the city roads we drive on most often can be repaired.”

If Snyder signs the bill, the cities would no longer be responsible for paying for the projects. Cities would then be able to take the saved money and aim it towards repairing local roads instead. To make up for the fiscal gap that cities would leave when it comes to paying for freeways and highways, MDOT would pick up the bill, meaning the extra cost would be spread across all Michigan taxpayers. “The bill will protect cities like Troy, Madison Heights, and Detroit from unexpected large bills during freeway projects, but it also means that road users statewide will bear the cost when surface roads like Woodward, Gratiot, Groesbeck, 8 Mile, Ford Road and Michigan Avenue are reconstructed," Jeff Cranson, MDOT Communications Director, explained.

The Michigan Senate bill was sponsored by Senator Marty Knollenberg from Troy, whose constituents were going to take on a tab of more than $9 million for Troy’s share of the I-75 project. The project, which includes a rebuilding and expansion of 17 miles of I-75 in Oakland County, will take 15 years to complete. “This bill will mean more taxpayer dollars from home will stay at home, so that the city roads we drive on most often can be repaired,” Knollenberg said in a statement. 

While Michigan roads may not be in the best of shape, poor road conditions can cause damage to your vehicle, and can even make you lose control of the car. If you or somebody you know has been involved in an auto accident caused by poor road conditions, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Car accidents can lead to short term and long term emotional and physical injuries, and our legal team will work alongside you to find the best solutions for your situation. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Camero, Challenger, And Mustang Fail to Meet Safety Standards

Sport cars attract thrill-seeking car enthusiasts because of their high speeds and bold performance, but they can also lead to increased risks for car accidents to occur. If drivers believe that car manufacturers build these types of cars to have more safety features than normal cars, they might want to think again. 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted tests on three of the most popular sports cars in the United States: the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Challenger. The IIHS put these vehicles through its full crash-test circuit for the first time ever, and concluded that none of the cars reached the standard threshold for safety recognition. All three sports cars came up short of both "Top Safety Pick+" and "Top Safety Pick" status, a standard that 65 other 2016 models reached. “These vehicles have high horsepower and they’re driven at higher speeds, and they’ll crash at higher speeds, so you’d like them to have strong protection, but none of them earned Top Safety Pick,” IIHS President Adrian Lund told Autoblog.  

On the IIHS’s small-front overlap test, which recreates the impact of the front of the car with a fixed object such as a parked vehicle or a tree as if the car was traveling at 40 miles per hour, the Camaro was the lone vehicle to earn a “good” ranking. The Challenger had “limited survival space for the driver” according to researchers. The small-front overlap is a vital indicator of a vehicle’s safety performance because “when these vehicles go off the road in a single-car crash, it’s often in a small-overlap configuration,” Lund stated. 

After taking the performance cars through each of the five crash tests, the Challenger was deemed the worst-performing car out of the three. The Mustang was the closest to earning Top Safety Pick status, according to Lund. A key safety feature for these types of cars is basic crash-warning systems installed to alert drivers when a collision is imminent. Both the Mustang and the Challenger were equipped with this technology, while the Camaro was not. “What we’re seeing here is these vehicles are lagging behind on the crash-avoidance features that are being built into family-type cars,” Lund explained. 

This type of revelation about the safety performance, or lack thereof, for these sports cars will hopefully get manufacturers attention going forward and will become a priority in designing the sports cars of the future. In the meantime, it can be difficult for potential car buyers to sift through the different safety features that vehicles offer, as terminology can be wildly inconsistent. Car shoppers should remember to ask their dealership about a vehicle's safety features and make sure they understand what it means and how it works. 

Whether it's a sports car or mini-van, auto accidents can happen in a split second. Unfortunately, the physical and mental damage from an accident may carry on for a lifetime. Broken bones, brain injuries, memory loss, and nerve damage are some of the possible long-term effects from a crash. If you or somebody you know has been injured in an auto accident, including those that may have been prevented by better safety measures, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

New Study Reveals Link Between Brain Injuries and Homelessness

New evidence related to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can now be linked to people who experience homelessness. Veterans, who account for one-third of the homeless, tend to be the common denominator when it comes to the relationship between homelessness and brain injuries.  

Dr. Mark L. Gordon, an endocrinologist with experience in the area of TBIs with the Millennium Health Centers, has partnered with the Warrior Angels Foundation to successfully treat over 100 veterans suffering from TBIs. The partnership has also led to detailed research and surveying of homeless people in the United States which has revealed that there is a probable relationship between homelessness and TBIs. 

Homeless In America Statistics: 

  • 69% of homeless citizens said they had been in a car accident
  • 77% asserted they had fallen off a roof or out of a tree, etc.
  • 74% reported they had been mugged
  • 75% declared they had been beaten up or hit very hard in the head
  • 80% said they had been hit hard enough to “see stars” or get their “bell rung” and confused with headaches and general irritability

In Search of Causes & Cures

Dr. Gordon, Richard Troxell (House the Homeless), and John Lozier (National Health Care for the Homeless) are working together to identify and explore treatment of TBIs and how it directly affects homelessness. Dr. Gordon believes that TBIs are a “causative factor for accelerated hormonal deficiencies” such as depression, anger outbursts, anxiety, mood swings, memory loss, inability to concentrate, learning disabilities, and strokes. When searching for an origin, Dr. Gordon is looking at the pituitary gland, which is found at the base of the brain, and is considered the master gland and controls many other functions. Studies have shown that between 50-75% of veterans with TBIs show some loss of pituitary function after the injury. 

A potential solution for people suffering from TBIs which has proven to improve the hemostatic state of the individual even years after the initial injury is restoring the hormones (neuro-steroids and neuro-active steroids) to their pre-injury level. Dr. Gordon has said that these types of procedures have shown a 50-100% improvement in the individual. 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 35% of all TBIs can be attributed to falling, 17% to Traffic accidents, 16% to striking or striking into another object, and 10% caused by assault.  Brain Injuries can cause serious damage to a person's mental and physical well being. Traffic accidents, according to the CDC, are the leading cause of death related to brain injuries. Often times, TBIs cause hidden symptoms that don't immediately present themselves. If you or somebody you know has been involved in an accident that may have caused slight to severe damage to the head, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC.  Our attorneys understand the seriousness of head injuries and will get you the assistance you need to recover from the accident. Call us today, 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Digging Deeper Into Car Safety Features

Thinking about buying a new car soon? You might want to do your homework on the safety features before closing the deal. While virtually every new car is proclaimed to be “the safest car yet,” there are still differing opinions on what truly makes a car safest for drivers. Confusing terminology and differing safety features that cars offer can make choosing a car difficult, and requires potential car buyers to take a closer look.

One safety feature that can cause confusion for buyers and dealers alike, is the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system. AEB uses sensors which are mounted on the front end of a car to detect when a driver is about to have a collision and hasn’t done anything about it, and will apply the brake system for the driver. According to The Telegraph, this technology has reduced the chances of a rear-end collision by nearly 38%. It is expected that as systems such as AEB spread and become more popular, insurance premiums will have decreased by 43% worldwide, by 2035. 

Unfortunately, there has been confusion over which variation of AEB is most effective or even what to call it. Most manufacturers don’t refer to it by the standard term, and buyers are hardly aware the technology even exists, which results in buyers not being able to ask the appropriate questions about the safety feature. 

Making things even more confusing for consumers, is the fact that there are currently three different variations of the system: laser-based, radar-based, and camera-based. Results have shown that combined a radar and camera-based system proves to be the most effective, but due to the expensive cost of the technology, most vehicles are not being fitted for these combined features. 

For prospective car buyers, it’s important to be thorough in inquiring about the safety features of the cars they are interested in. Before looking at different car options, buyers should do research online to find information on different safety features that are offered. 

If you or somebody you know has been involved in an accident, including those caused by defective safety measures, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are experienced in handling all types of auto accidents, and will get you the help and answers you need. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Michigan State Police Enforcing Distracted Driving Laws

Drivers might want to think twice the next time they want to send a text or take a Snapchat while driving around the Sterling Heights, Michigan intersection of Hall Road and Schoenherr Road. Police have promised to crack down on distracted driving around that intersection, as it has been ranked by the Michigan State Police as the 8th most dangerous intersection in Michigan. 

The tight enforcement of distracted driving will be a team effort, as the intersection falls on the city borders of Utica, Sterling Heights, and Shelby Township. The video news story posted on ClickOnDetroit this morning featured an officer pulling over a driver who was traveling 60 mph, which is well over the posted speed limit of 45 mph. Going 15 miles per hour over the speed limit is legal grounds for a reckless driving ticket. Within a time frame of less than an hour, officers at the intersection pulled over several other drivers for careless driving, reckless driving, and distracted driving. 

“This is a matter of life and death. We have people on the streets dying in the United States of America because somebody felt it was so important to respond to a text or an email while driving,” Sterling Heights Police Department Chief John Berg said. The tri-city effort to curb distracted driving in the area is being called “Operation Blue Light”. 

As previously stated, this intersection is ranked the 8th most dangerous intersection in the state of Michigan. Leading causes to this ranking are the speed that drivers travel at on Hall Road, as well as the high volume of traffic the area experiences on a daily basis. Add in a dose of distracted driving, and the likelihood of an auto accident increases dramatically. "If you just look around in your cars you will see everyone on their cell phones, it’s actually kind of embarrassing,” Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide told Local 4 News. 

The enhanced crackdown on distracted driving will begin on June 20th, as police will be looking for drivers who are not paying attention to the road or are using their cell phones while driving. The police departments want drivers to know that they are not doing this to simply write tickets, but to save a life instead. Traffic signs and billboards will be scattered throughout the area to bring awareness to drivers. 

If a driver feels it is necessary to use their cell phone while in the vehicle, they are strongly encouraged to pull over and come to a complete stop before sending a message or picture. Distracted driving is becoming a dangerous trend in the United States. Cell phones are estimated to be involved in 1.6 million automobile accidents each year, leading to 6,000 fatalities, according to Don’tTextandDrive.com. 

Distracted drivers not only put other drivers' lives at risk, they also put their own lives at risk. No text or email or picture is worth ruining someone's life over. If you our somebody you know has been injured in an auto accident because of distracted driving, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys realize the long-term physical and emotional effects a car accident may have on a victim, and they will not rest until you get the help that you deserve. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

ROSS Artificial Intelligence Joins Legal World

Artificial Intelligence may play a large role in shaping the future of the legal field. Law firm Baker & Hostetler has announced that they will be using IBM’s Al Ross to handle their bankruptcy practice, which consists of nearly 50 lawyers.

 “At Baker & Hostetler, we believe that emerging technologies like cognitive computing and other forms of machine learning can help enhance the services we deliver to our clients,” Baker & Hostetler chief information officer Bob Craig explained. 

Ross has been built on IBM’s cognitive computer Watson and is designed to read and understand language, formulate hypotheses when asked questions, conduct research, and generate responses in order to back up its conclusions. Ross also improves with age, as it learns from its experiences and gains knowledge with more interaction. 

“You ask your questions in plain English, as you would a colleague, and ROSS then reads through the entire body of law and returns a cited answer and topical readings from legislation, case law and secondary sources to get you up-to-speed quickly. In addition, ROSS monitors the law around the clock to notify you of new court decisions that can affect your case,” ROSS website says. 

Ross will also serve as a time efficiency tool, as it will be capable of narrowing down results from a thousand answers to a handful of the most relevant answers and then translates them into an understandable language. As artificial intelligence software like Ross grows, it is expected that more law firms to buy into the system to save money, time, and expand their legal capabilities.

While technology has come a long way and will certainly change the way law is practiced, nothing can replace the personal care and support that a law firm can offer a client. If you or somebody you know has been involved in an auto, motorcycle, or bicycle accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys will go out of their way to get you the help that you need and will be readily available to answer any questions that you may have. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

The City Of Detroit To Spend $60 Million On Roadways

The City of Detroit is shelling out big bucks this construction season to fix the roads in the city that really need it. According to the Detroit News, the city is spending far more than it did around this time last year to fix roadway issues, especially in residential areas of the city. The funds to complete this work are coming from federal transportation funds and the City of Detroit’s share of the state gasoline tax revenue.

Detroit Construction Car Crash Lawyer

The current plans are to resurface 53 miles of roadway in Detroit neighborhoods and 26 miles of major roadway. Most of this work will be done by city work crews, which have hired extra seasonal workers to take on the extra load.

The current major projects slated include many major roadways. New landscaped medians and bike paths on East Jefferson and repavement of other parts is slated to be finished in late 2017. Improvements will be made to the Rosa Parks Bridge north of Lafayette, the Lafayette bridge west of Rosa Parks, and the bridge between Mount Elliot and Mound Road. Upgrades will also be made to four roads near the Rouge River to reduce storm runoff into the sewer system. Construction on many of these projects has already started and should conclude around November of 2016. The roads that were selected were chosen due to their condition, amount of usage, and density of surrounding neighborhoods. Although no roads will be closed during the duration of this work, traffic is expected. Crews ask for citizens of Detroit to be patient as they try and make the roadways safer for everyone.

Detroit is often known as one of the worst off cities when it comes to the state of its infrastructure, including roadways and bridges. This news should be met with smiles from many Detroiters, because these changes are long overdue. It is important to keep roadways safe for drivers because this limits the number of accidents and allows for traffic to run smoothly in regularly congested areas. While the roadwork is going on it is important to slow down and always be weary of workers. After the construction is finished, all the time spent allowing for it to be done will be well worth it.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an motor vehicle accident, including a crash caused by construction, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of motor vehicle accidents. They will help you get teh help that you need while you recover from your injuries. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Westland, Michigan Police Officer Buys Car Seat for Struggling Father

Here’s a heartwarming story: a Westland, Michigan police officer purchased a car seat for a struggling young father who was pulled over for a window tint violation. LeVonte Dell of Inkster was driving with his young daughter when he saw the flashing lights in his rear view mirror. “My heart dropped in my stomach. I thought I was going to get hammered with tickets, more stress, more bills,” Dell told Fox 2. 

While walking up to Dell’s vehicle, Westland police officer Joshua Scaglione noticed that Dell’s daughter was riding along without a proper car seat. “I asked him, ‘Why do you have your kids in the back without a car seat?’ and he’s like, ‘I can’t afford it,” Scaglione said. "So I took him out of the car, separated him from his family and asked him what’s going on. He’s like, ‘Bills are building up, overtaking my income, and I can’t afford a car seat right now.”

Offering to help, Scaglione had Dell follow him to the local Walmart and bought the troubled father a new car seat. Dell wanted Scaglione to be properly recognized for his charity and selflessness, but Scaglione had left before Dell could get his name or even thank him for helping him out. Dell went on Facebook after returning home from Walmart to give thanks to the anonymous police officer. Luckily, the Westland Police Department had heard about the kind act and gave Dell the opportunity to see Scaglione again and offer his deep appreciation. 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, properly used car seats can reduce the risk of deaths of infants by 71%, and booster seats can reduce the risk for serious injury by 45%, for children ages 4-8, when compared to simply using a seat belt. While it may take extra time to get a baby or child properly strapped into a proper fitting car seat, it can be well worth the time, as it may just save a child’s life. 

Being involved in a car accident can be scary enough, but having your child in the car during an accident can be a parent's worst nightmare. If you or somebody you know has been involved in a motor vehicle accident with a child in the vehicle, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. We understand that it is difficult and expensive to identify injuries and get treatment for children's injuries. Let our experienced legal staff help you identify benefits for you and your injured children, so that your family can focus on recovering. Please call us, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

GM And The US Government Agree to Extend Oversight One More Year

General Motors Co. will continue to be under the watchful eye of U.S auto safety regulators for another year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told GM in a letter. 

In 2014, the Detroit, Michigan based automaker agreed to a deal which included monthly meetings, enhanced regulations and transparency, as well as a $35 million fine from the NHTSA. All of this was a result of delayed action to an ignition switch defect in millions of vehicles that led to about 400 deaths and injuries. 

GM has had to pay out major money in the aftermath of the ignition switch case. Costs topped $2 billion, including a $900 million settlement with the United States Justice Department. Reuters stated that under the original agreement with NHTSA, GM is required to provide a written list every month of all safety issues under review by the automaker's investigators, even if the company decides it's not necessary to have a recall. 

In its letter this past week, the NHTSA believes the relationship with GM has been productive. "The meetings have been useful to proactively and expeditiously address potential safety-related defects and to facilitate," the letter reads. 

Car defects can be triggered by something as simple as having too much weight on a key chain or driving in extreme climates. These automobile faults may even cause drivers to lose control of the car and potentially cause injuries or fatalities. If you or somebody you know has been involved in an accident caused by a car defect, please call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Whether the accident resulted in a few broken bones or it caused head trauma, our attorneys are highly experienced in helping victims of all types of motor vehicle collisions. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM.

GM Offering Reimbursement Plans for 2016 Crossover Owners

General Motors Company (GM) is looking to make amends for overstating the fuel economy of some of its 2016 crossover models. The Detroit, Michigan based auto company will be offering between $450 and $900 or an extended warranty to owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave. These vehicles featured a window sticker that overstated the fuel economy by 1 to 2 miles per gallon.  

GM is offering its customers a debit card or a 48-month/60,000-mile protection plan which is designed for high-mileage customers. The debit card will carry $450 for front-wheel drive vehicle customers and $900 for all-wheel drivers. While GM declined to comment on the Detroit Free Press article regarding the cost of these offers, if all eligible owners chose the gift card option, and the average card was worth $675, the cost would be somewhere around a $90 billion loss for the company. 

GM said that the difference in the predicted vs. actual fuel economy was related to new emissions-related hardware. While testing the 2016 system, engineers found that the actual fuel economy was 1 or 2 mpg lower than the 2015 models, yet the stickers for the 2016 models remained the same.

This might not even be the first year that this type of discrepancy took place. Consumer Reports has suggested that the same type of error regarding fuel economy may have also happened on past models for the crossover vehicles. Jake Fisher, Director of Automotive Testing for Consumer Reports reviewed their own fuel economy tests from as far back as 2007 models and found that they reached an average of 15 mpg in combined city and highway driving on the Enclave and 16 mpg on the Traverse. The EPA-Certified number for that model year was 18 m.p.g for both.

GM informed its dealers of the reimbursement plan this past Friday, and owners will be receiving letters in the mail regarding their options beginning Wednesday. Potential car owners should ask their dealer about the vehicle's fuel economy and how much it will save them at the gas pump.

While crossovers are seen as a safer option compared to cars, they are not immune from getting involved in a dangerous car accident. If you or somebody you know has been involved in a car crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Accidents can be the result of recklessness, distracted or impaired driving, and can cause damaging injuries. Our attorneys are highly experienced and will give you the one-on-one consultation you deserve. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

German City Installs In-Ground Crosswalk Signals For Texters

Civic leaders in Augsburg, Germany are taking a stand against those who text-while-walking on sidewalks, in an effort to prevent pedestrians from walking into the street while there is oncoming traffic. To decrease the alarming number of accidents caused by pedestrians not looking up at traffic signals at intersections, crosswalk signals were installed into the sidewalks themselves. 

Thanks to this new system,“Petexrians” or “smombies” are able to walk safely while texting, and would still have a chance to stop themselves before they walk out into a busy street. The new signals are a part of a pilot program which is being tested in areas where young people are a large part of the population. 

In 2015, the Governors Highway Safety Association released a report which showed an increase in pedestrian deaths in 40 years. To no one’s surprise, cell phones were the biggest culprit for the increase. Less than 1% of pedestrian deaths were caused by cell phones in 2004, but this number rose to 4% by 2010. And, since 2005, the amount of pedestrians injured while using their cell phone has doubled. In 2013, a pedestrian was dying every two hours in the United States. 

In an interview with N-TV, Augsburg spokeswoman Stephanie Lermen said that safety measures such as traffic signals for both vehicles and pedestrians need to adapt to this era. “[The Signals] create a whole new level of attention,” Lermen said. 

While the United States has not adopted in-ground crosswalk signals, they may not be far off. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly two-thirds of Americans now own a smartphone and that number will only continue to rise. With the increase in phones, there is sure to be an increase in pedestrian collisions at crosswalks.

It is never a good idea to walk and text for a long period of time. It can become especially dangerous when a pedestrian has their head down for an extended period of time, when walking around busy sidewalks and streets. 

Nobody wants to end up like Bonnie Miller, a Benton Harbor resident, who was enjoying a nice stroll on Lake Michigan with her husband and son. She received a text message, read it, and began to reply. Miller told ABC News that she typed three words, tripped because she wasn't paying attention to where she was walking, and then fell into Lake Michigan. Luckily she wasn't hurt, but she was surely embarrassed. 

Drivers should always keep a look out when going through intersections for pedestrians entering the crosswalk whether they are supposed to be there or not. Pedestrians should always remember to make sure cars are coming to complete stops before going through a crosswalk. If you or somebody you know has been injured in an accident involving a pedestrian, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are knowledgeable on all rights belonging to pedestrians and will represent you to make sure you get the necessary help. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

How to Ride Your Bike In Michigan

Bicycling can serve many purposes: recreation, a way to save money, and can even be beneficial to the environment. Whatever the reason, riders should be aware of the rules and expectations that come with being on the road. Laws regarding bicyclists vary from state to state, and knowing Michigan state law can help protect bicyclists and drivers who share a road. 

Biking In The Streets 

Bicyclists riding at a normal speed of traffic are expected to ride as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the road, under Michigan law. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule: 

  • When passing another bicycle or a vehicle proceeding in the same direction. 
  • When preparing to turn left. 
  • When conditions make the right hand edge of the roadway unsafe for the rider. 

Biking on Sidewalks 

Bikes may be ridden on the sidewalks in Michigan, but riders must remember to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and are required to give some type of audible signal to let them know they are going to be passed. 

How to Signal A Turn  

When riding a bike, cyclists are required to signal with their arms. By doing so, they can ensure that drivers know that they are about to turn. 

  • A left turn by extending their arm horizontally. 
  • A right turn by extending their left arm vertically. 
  • A stop or decrease in speed by extending their arm downward. 
  • Signal 100 feet - 200 feet before you are about to turn, so that drivers are aware of your intended action and have adequate time to react appropriately. 

Safely Parking Your Bike 

Bike theft has become a huge problem for riders. In fact, according to City Lab, over half of all active cyclists have had their bike stolen. Most occurrences take place in heavy populated places downtown area of a city where the act of stealing a bike blends in with the crowd. It is important to always lock your bike to a secure, visible location, which makes it tough for a thief to pick up and walk away with your bike. 

While only 1% of all transportation in the United States is via a bicycle, the frequency of bicycle-related accidents is alarming. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 900 bicyclists were killed in the United States in 2013 with an additional 494,000 emergency room visits due to bicycling-related injuries. While riding a bike with a helmet is not currently required under Michigan law, bicyclists are highly encouraged to take the necessary safety precaution to prevent potential head injuries. 

If you or somebody you know has been injured by a car while riding a bicycle, call The Michigan Law Firm PLLC. Car drivers have a tendency to neglect bicyclists' right of way. Don't let automobiles bully you. Our attorneys are experienced in handling bicycle-related collisions, and will get you the help you need. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Stop-Start: Fuel Efficiency of the Future

Car companies are always looking for a new feature to advertise to potential customers, and a popular selling point is saving drivers money by improving fuel efficiency. One of the newest features for cars is the stop-start technology. Stop-start helps customers conserve fuel by automatically turning off the engine when a vehicle comes to a complete stop, such as stopping at a traffic light. When the driver takes his or her foot off the brake or applies the accelerator, the engine will automatically start back up again. According to a press release from Chevrolet, their 2016 Chevrolet Malibu’s city fuel economy improved 14% because of stop-start. While this new system has appealed to customers who are looking to save at the gas tank, there are still outlying questions about the overall impact stop-start has on a car. 

Some are asking if the constant stopping and restarting of the engine will damage the vehicle long-term. Gerhard Arnold, who is responsible for designing cars at Federal Mogul, says “A normal car without automatic stop-start can be expected to go through up to 50,000 stop-start events during its lifetime. With automatic stop-start being activated every time the car comes to a standstill, the figure rises dramatically, perhaps to as many as 500,000 stop-start cycles over the engine's life.” 

Potential car buyers may also be asking themselves if the extra wear and tear on the engine is worth the fuel savings in the first place. A test done by Edmunds involved a 2014 BMW 328i being driven around for 80 miles in three hours, once with the stop-start system engaged and once with it turned off. With the system off, the BMW used 3.1 gallons and 2.8 gallons with stop-start turned on. That results in a savings of about 91 cents saved every 80 miles. One of the factors that may have affected the results is having the air-conditioning system on while driving. It has been suggested that the stop-start system can run more efficiently in mild climates.

There has been resistance to the technology in the United States despite its popularity in European countries. Some drivers have complained about the jerking feeling that is experienced once the engine restarts, which may also lead drivers to believe that their car has stalled. Despite the resistance, North American Powertrain Forecaster, Devin Lindsay, told The Detroit News that stop-start will only grow from here. “It’s just a matter of time before the technology gets featured on more vehicles. From some of the stories I’ve been told, it’s kind of a slightly weird transition, especially if the customer isn’t aware,” Lindsay said. 

New car buyers should ask the dealer which cars have stop-start technology, as well as discuss the pros and cons of the system. Potential buyers are also encouraged to take a test drive in vehicles they may want to drive, in order to get a feel for the effects of stop-start, so that there are no surprises after they’ve purchased the vehicle.

Unfamiliar car features can make for unexpected car accidents. If you or somebody you know has been involved in an accident, including collisions caused by car defects, call The Michigan Law Firm PLLC. Our attorneys are experienced in handing all types of car, motorcycle, and bicycle collisions. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

"Taxibots" Could Eliminate 9 out of 10 Cars

Self-driving cars might have a bigger impact on traffic congestion than previously thought. More specifically, autonomous taxis are changing the way companies such as Uber and Lyft want to do business.  A group of transportation experts at the Organization for Cooperation and Development discovered results from a trip in Portugal, which showed that the mainstreaming of self-driving cars will eliminate cars by 90%, acres of land will open up, and will decrease commute times by 10%.

These “taxibots,” as described by the researchers, will be a combination of mass carpooling and UPS delivery intelligence. These vehicles will navigate through cities and match compatible carpool routes based on a mathematical algorithm. Under this type of system, 9 out of 10 cars would no longer be necessary and eliminate the need for public transportation. 

The evolution of taxibots would also open up large chunks of space in cities, which would allow for more development in downtown areas. The study finds that without the need for individual ownership of cars, a city like Lisbon, Portugal would have around 210 football fields worth of extra space. There would also be significant savings for consumers in the area. The mere presence of parking spaces can increase the cost of construction, which leads to development costs getting passed on to consumers, in the form of steeper prices on goods and rent. A taxibot system would eliminate the need for parking spaces, thereby decreasing consumer costs. 

One of the leading companies looking into driver-free taxis is Uber. The ever-popular taxi service has recently opened a new facility dedicated to mainstreaming this technology, which would completely automate their workforce. General Motors Company and Lyft Inc. will also begin testing electric driver-less taxis for public roads. The Wall Street Journal reported that GM invested around $500 million in Lyft in order to compete with the Silicon Valley minds in a battle to own the driver-less taxi industry. 

Driver-less cars are the way of the future which will virtually eliminate car collisions. For now, drivers must be extra cautious while driving, as accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. If you or somebody you know has been involved in an accident of any scale, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Accidents can lead to problems down the road, such as trouble paying medical bills, loss of employment, and lingering injuries. Our attorneys can help get you the answers and help you need taking care of these issues. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consulation. 

Ford "Drugged Driving Suit" Teaches Teens Lesson

Ford Motor Company is allowing students to experience what it’s like to drive under the influence of drugs. Thanks to Ford’s new “Drugged Driving Suit,” teens are able to see the many effects that drugs can have on their ability to drive, and also face the severe consequences that can follow them for the rest of their lives. 

The suit was developed in partnership with the Meyer-Hentschel Institute in Germany to simulate effects of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy. Teens wearing the suit will experience slower reaction time, distorted vision, hand tremors, and poor coordination. “We know that some drugs can cause trembling hands, so we incorporated a device into the suit that creates just such a tremor,” Gundolf Meyer-Hentschel, CEO of the Meyer-Hentschel Institute said. “Drug users sometimes see flashing lights in their peripheral field, an effect recreated by our goggles, while imaginary sounds are generated by the headphones. Additionally, the goggles distort perception, and produce colorful visual sensations.” 

 The suit will be part of Ford Driving Skills for Life, which is an award-winning young driver program which provided training to more than 500,000 people worldwide, since it began in 2005. “Driving after taking illegal drugs can have potentially fatal consequences for the driver, their passengers, and other road users,” Global Program Manager for Ford Driving Skills for Life said. According to the most recent study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 18% of all motor vehicle driver deaths involve drugs other than alcohol. Another NHTSA survey showed that 22% of drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs. 

A lot of attention is placed on drinking and driving, and rightfully so, but the effects of driving while being under the influence of drugs can get pushed off to the side at times. This issue has become even larger around this time of year. With prom and graduation season, along with summer parties every weekend, teens can find themselves making poor choices after a night out. Many times the teen is not even in the right mindset to consider the potential consequences of driving under the influence, and how it could affect their loved ones and the other drivers on the road. 

Driving while under the influence can lead to serious and permanent damage, including death. If you or somebody you know has been in an accident involving a drunk driver, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are experienced in handling all types of collisions, including drunk driving car crashes. We help victims of drunk driving identity and receive any benefits they may be entitled to, under Michigan law.  Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.