Articles by David Shepardson

NHTSA to Extend Airbag Probe Rather Than Require Vehicle Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday it will not seek an immediate recall of airbag inflators in about 50 million U.S. vehicles assembled by 13 automakers and instead will conduct further investigation. The agency said in July …

EPA Approves California’s Plan to Ban Sale of Gas-Only Cars in 2035

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Wednesday it has approved California’s landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. The decision in the final weeks of President Joe Biden’s administration sets up a fight over the …

US to Require Rear Seat Belt Reminders in Vehicles in 2027

The U.S. Transportation Department said Monday it will require rear seat reminder systems to boost seat belt use starting in late 2027 in all new cars and trucks in an bid to reduce traffic crash deaths and injuries that have …

Senators Say US Must Boost Security After Chinese Salt Typhoon Telecom Hacking

The United States must do more to address hacking threats after China’s alleged efforts known as Salt Typhoon to infiltrate American telecommunications companies and steal data about U.S. calls, senators said at a hearing Wednesday. “This attack likely represents the …

United Says FAA Staffing Shortages Causing Disruption at Newark Hub

United Airlines said on Tuesday that an acute shortage of air traffic controllers was causing “significant disruption” for travelers at its busy Newark, New Jersey, hub outside of New York City. The airline said the Federal Aviation Administration has been …

US Faces Growing Crisis Over High Traffic Deaths, NTSB Chair Says

The United States must address a growing public-health crisis over traffic deaths that remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said on Tuesday. “Unlike most developed nations, U.S. roadways have grown more deadly …

Senate Panel to Hold Hearing on Suspected Chinese Hacking Incidents

A U.S. Senate Judiciary subcommittee overseeing technology issues will hold a hearing Tuesday on Chinese hacking incidents, including a recent incident involving American telecom companies. The hearing to be chaired by Senator Richard Blumenthal will review the threats “Chinese hacking …

NHTSA Closes Probe Into 411,000 Ford Vehicles Due to Loss of Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Monday it has closed a probe into 411,000 Ford SUVs and pickup trucks over a potentially defective engine that could lose power without warning. In July 2022, the U.S. auto safety regulator …

Judge Approves $102 Million Settlement Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse

A U.S. judge approved on Friday a $102 million settlement by the companies that owned and operated the ship that struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, killing six people. The payment, approved by U.S. District Judge James Bredar, …

New Rules Proposed to Block China, Russia, Iran From Accessing Bulk US Data

The U.S. Justice Department on Monday proposed new rules to protect federal government data or Americans’ bulk personal data from getting into the hands of countries like China, Iran and Russia by placing new limits on certain business transactions. The …