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Will Fatal Tesla Crash Kill the Driverless Car Craze?

July 11, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A combination of "extremely rare circumstances" last month is believed to have led to the first known fatal crash linked to self-driving car technology, according to a statement released yesterday by Tesla Motors. With an investigation now under way by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the possible impact on the fast-developing autonomous vehicle industry remains to be seen.</p>

Santa Monica Consumer Advocate Group Wants Tesla to Disable ‘Autopilot’

July 11, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>The group said the feature is unsafe and wants the company to take full responsibility to the accidents it caused.</b></p> <p>Santa Monica, CA — In the wake of a fatal crash in Florida while the car was in "autopilot" mode, a Santa Monica-based consumer advocate group is calling on Tesla to disable the feature in its cars until the feature is proven safe.</p>

Consumer Watchdog Wants Tesla To Disable Autopilot

July 9, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong class="dateline">SANTA MONICA, Calif. (FOX 11)</strong> - “Tesla is in a situation where it's using its customers as human guinea pigs,” John M. Simpson with Santa Monica based Consumer Watchdog said Friday.</p> <p>The group is demanding Tesla make safety changes after a handful of crashes possibly linked to the vehicles autopilot system.</p> <p>“We’ve sent a letter to the chairman Elon Musk saying he should disable it on all the vehicles immediately until it can be shown to be safe,” Simpson said.</p>

Consumer Watchdog Wants Tesla To Turn Off Autopilot

July 8, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>The company blames the victim when things go wrong, the group argues</b></p> <p>The Consumer Watchdog group says Tesla's Autopilot technology isn't ready to take the wheel and wants Tesla CEO Elon Musk to take away the keys until it's safe. </p>

NTSB Launches Probe Of Fatal Autopilot Tesla Crash

July 8, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><i>Washington</i> — The National Transportation Safety Board is launching an investigation of a fatal crash on May 7 involving a 2015 Tesla Model S that was operating with its automated driving system activated.</p> <p>The NTSB said it “is sending five people to investigate the crash” in Williston, Florida, near Gainesville, that resulted in what is believed to be the first U.S. death in a vehicle engaged in a semi-autonomous driving feature.</p>

Tesla Crash Sparks Worries About Self-Driving Cars

July 8, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><i>Washington — </i>Self-driving car advocates are scrambling to contain the fallout of the fatal crash of 2015 Tesla Model S that was operating with its automated driving system activated.</p> <p>The news of the fatality — believed to be the first death in a car engaged in a semi-autonomous driving feature — came as federal regulators prepare to unveil regulations for testing of fully automated cars this summer. Their preparations are being closely watched by supporters and critics of the self-driving technology.</p>

After Deadly Tesla Crash, Self-Driving Cars Need Tighter Rules: Watchdog Group

July 1, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Florida victim had posted YouTube videos demonstrating and praising Model S 'autopilot' feature</b></p> <p class="paragraph" data-pnum="1">After a Tesla driver was killed last month while operating a Model S in "autopilot" mode, a watchdog group is now calling for tighter regulation on self-driving systems in automobiles.</p>

State Bill Would Crack Down On Opioid Doctor Shoppers

July 1, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>SACRAMENTO, CA -- As a defensive strong safety on his high school football team, Aaron Rubin was no stranger to injury treatment. He'd apply ice, take ibuprofen and - unbeknownst to his parents - self-medicate with prescription drugs.</p> <p><br /> Over time, as treatment turned to addiction, Rubin graduated from painkillers like Vicodin and Percocet to the highly addictive opioid OxyContin. In pursuit of pills, he would doctor shop, getting prescriptions from multiple physicians, his mother said.</p>

Tesla Motorist’s Fatal Crash, Though Tragic, Viewed As Bump In Road For Driverless Cars

July 1, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>Tesla fatality unlikely to stop advance of driverless cars</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Self-driving cars have now seen their first fatality, with the death of a Tesla Model S driver on a rural highway in Florida.</p> <p><br /> But will it matter?</p>

Big Companies Pad Their Bank Accounts Instead Of Passing The Savings To Consumers

July 1, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>JPMorgan Chase patted itself on the back earlier this year after announcing plans to close hundreds of branches and increasingly shift customer transactions to ATMs and online banking.</p> <p><br /> A deposit involving a human teller, the bank noted, costs it about 65 cents, whereas an ATM deposit costs just 8 cents and using a smartphone app lowers the transaction cost to a mere 3 cents. Chase figures these moves will save the bank about $1.4 billion.</p> <p><br /> And how much of those savings can customers expect to see?</p>

In Google’s Future, Drivers May Exchange Their Data for Infotainment and Other Features

June 28, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Drivers will continue to enjoy a growing assortment of connected features in their vehicles—as long as they’re willing to share some personal information.</p>

Automakers Enter ‘Gray Zone’ as They Roll Out Semi-Autonomous Tech

June 27, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>As the big Mercedes-Benz sedan roars down U.S. 101 south of San Francisco, it closes on an old pickup truck cruising along in its lane. The driver flicks the turn signal for a pass but then, unexpectedly, takes his hands off the wheel. The new sedan pauses for two seconds and then completes the maneuver on its own.</p>