Category: News

May 15

SUV rams bike from behind in Delhi, 65-year-old dead

 

According to police, a police control room call about the accident was received at 10am from commuters on the Ring Road

A 65-year-old man was killed by a speeding Ford SUV in Rajouri Garden, west Delhi, on Wednesday morning, police said, adding that two people have been arrested. The deceased, who worked at a private firm, was going to office on his bike when the suspect hit him, police added.

According to police, a police control room call about the accident was received at 10am from commuters on the Ring Road. Police said they rushed to the spot and found all three damaged vehicles.

“From our initial inquiry, a Ford Endeavour SUV rammed a bike from behind and then hit a BMW car which was in front of the bike. The bike was crushed between the two vehicles and the BMW was also damaged from the impact,” said deputy commissioner of police (west) Vichitra Veer.

Police said that the bike rider, identified as Kishan Lal, was severely injured, while a doctor from a private hospital, who was inside the BMW, and her driver, sustained minor injuries.

Commuters rushed Lal to DDU Hospital but doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police informed Lal’s family about the accident. He is survived by his mother who’s in her late 80s and his daughter. The family live in Khanpur.

“There were two people inside the Ford car. Both were arrested from the accident site,” said a police officer.

The suspects were identified as Gaurav Soni, 27, and Kunal Katyal, 34. Police said that the suspects were coming from a bar in Gurugram and were drunk. Their blood alcohol content was 105 (Soni) and 77(Katyal), which is above the permissible limit, said police.

Both have been booked for causing death by negligence and rash driving. Police said Soni, who runs a cafe in Model Town, was driving the car.

 
 

May 15

Vancouver Residents Evacuated After SUV Collides with Apartment, Causing Gas Line Rupture

Evacuation Details

Residents in Vancouver faced an urgent evacuation after an SUV collided with an apartment building, rupturing a natural gas line. The crash took place at the intersection of Southeast Ellsworth Road and Southeast 10th Street. Prompt action from the Vancouver Fire Department ensured the situation was managed effectively and resident safety was prioritized.

Scene Description and Initial Response

Images from the site show a white Ford SUV partially embedded in the building, highlighting the crash’s impact. It is yet to be confirmed whether the driver sustained any injuries. Emergency services concentrated on evacuating residents and securing the area to prevent further risks from the gas leak.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are investigating the circumstances that caused the SUV to crash into the apartment. Displaced residents are receiving assistance from local services to secure temporary housing. This incident underscores the critical need for quick emergency responses to mitigate hazards associated with gas line ruptures following vehicle accidents.

May 15

Tesla EV Maker Sued For…Polluting?

I know, EVs are supposed to be emissions free and good for the environment. But the truth is that building any vehicle–whether internal combustion or electric–is an energy-intensive process and can emit harmful chemicals. And as car companies go, Tesla may be one of the worst polluters around.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District regulators said, “Tesla violations are frequent, recurring, and can negatively affect public health and the environment.” Tesla landed on the 2023 Toxic 100 Air Polluters list, landing at number 89. In 2022, the government fined it $275,000 for two pollution issues. The first was not measuring, tracking, or recording its factories emissions. The second was not minimizing air pollutants caused by painting its cars.

Tesla has been sued by 25 of California’s counties for mishandling hazardous substances. Regulators actually checked factories’ dumpsters and found hazardous substances that shouldn’t be tossed in a landfill. In Germany, protestors are camped out in a forest Tesla wants to clearcut to expand its factory, complaining about water quality and other environment issues. And it looks like the startup is under fire for pollution again.

A nonprofit called the Environmental Democracy Project is targeting Tesla’s Fremont, California project. It is even suing the automaker. It’s claim? The company is “exposing nearby resident and workers to excessive nitrogen oxides, arsenic, cadmium and other harmful chemicals.”

So what if Tesla loses this lawsuit? Under the Clean Air Act, the company could face a civil fine as high as $121,275. But with the Model S MSRP at $74,630, that’s basically couch cushion change for Tesla.

So does making EVs pollute? The truth is that manufacturing and painting any car pollutes. And just because a car claims “zero emissions” while driving doesn’t mean zero lifetime emissions. So for car buyers concerned about the environment, it’s never a bad idea to investigate an automaker a bit.

May 15

Fatal SUV and Amtrak Train Collision Leads to Closure of Frontage Roads in Round Rock Near McNeil Road

Incident Overview

A tragic incident in Round Rock on Wednesday morning involved a collision between an SUV and an Amtrak train, resulting in the death of the SUV driver. The victim’s name has not been released yet. Authorities have shut down the frontage roads at Interstate 35 and McNeil Road to carry out a comprehensive investigation, as stated by police spokesperson Melanie Forcier.

Investigation Details

The crash took place around 11 a.m., but it is still unknown whether there were any injuries among the passengers on the Amtrak train or if there were passengers on board. Police are conducting a detailed investigation to understand the circumstances of the crash. The closure of the frontage roads is expected to disrupt traffic as officials work on the investigation.

Community Impact

This incident underscores the critical need for safety at railway crossings and the serious hazards posed by vehicle-train collisions. Residents in the area are encouraged to find alternative routes while the investigation is underway. The community is mourning the loss of the driver and awaits further information from the authorities regarding any additional injuries or conclusions from the investigation.

May 15

Bergen girl 15, seriously injured when struck by SUV in North Bergen driveway

A 15-year-old Bergen County girl was seriously injured Tuesday when she was struck and pinned under an SUV in a North Bergen driveway, authorities said.

The girl, of Cliffside Park, was sitting in a driveway in the area of Woodcliff Avenue and Palisade Plaza, near North Hudson Park, at 4:30 p.m. when she was struck by the vehicle as it was turning into the driveway, North Bergen police Capt. Nicholas Galliano said. Police Officer John Nunez was nearby and rushed to aid the victim.

Galliano said Nunez and some neighbors used a jack to lift the SUV off the girl, who was then taken to the trauma unit at Hackensack University Medical Center. The girl is currently in stable condition.

May 15

Good news! Cars with Android Auto and Google Built-in are about to get many more apps

Google is bringing new streaming and entertainment apps to cars with Google Built-in.

The company is also starting a new program that should soon bring many more apps to vehicles with Android Auto and Google Built-in.

Google is working on greatly expanding the app library on Android Automotive. At the ongoing I/O 2024 conference, Google announced that new streaming apps like Max and Peacock, and gaming apps like Angry Birds are headed to select cars with Google Built-in.

These are different from Android Auto-enabled cars, of which there are now over 200 million vehicles, according to Google. Instead, vehicles with Android Automotive with Google Built-in come preloaded with Google apps. Android Auto requires an Android phone, while Google Built-in doesn’t.

Besides adding the aforementioned apps to Google Built-in cars, the company is also collaborating with car manufacturers on its car-ready mobile apps program. The program aims to bring mobile apps to cars with no additional work for developers.

As part of the program, Google will automatically distribute mobile apps compatible with larger screens on cars with Android Automotive dashboards. This way, developers won’t have to create a whole new app for cars.

The app expansion program will start in the next few months with parked app categories like video, gaming, and browsers and expand to other app categories in the future. So, as a consumer, it could be a while before you start seeing the fruits of the program and more apps come to Android Automotive.

May 15

Police investigate deadly train, vehicle crash in Round Rock

One person is dead after police said an Amtrak train struck an SUV Wednesday morning in Round Rock.

The Round Rock Police Department shared it shut down the Interstate 35 frontage roads on both the northbound and southbound sides near McNeil Road to further investigate. Officers are advising people to find other ways to get around that area.

Police said they received a call about the deadly crash at about 11 a.m. It’s unclear whether anyone else was injured when the train hit the SUV.

May 15

France Encourages Safer Driving with “Drive Like a Woman” Campaign

Introduction

“Conduisez comme une femme” or “Drive like a woman,” is the catchphrase featured on posters by the French safety advocacy group Victimes & Citoyens. The rationale? Men are responsible for 84% of fatal road accidents in France. The Guardian notes that similar patterns are evident in the U.K. and the U.S., raising the question: Could a campaign like this actually influence safer driving behaviors?

Alarming Statistics and Driving Culture

A staggering 91% of French drivers admit to frequently exceeding speed limits, 65% use cellphones while driving, and 32% have intentionally collided with another vehicle out of frustration. The Guardian highlights that French drivers are among the most aggressive in Europe. The country’s historic passion for speed, evident in events like the world’s first automobile race in 1894 and the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, might contribute to this driving culture.

Gender Disparities in Driving Safety

French government data indicates that men are responsible for 93% of drunk driving incidents and 84% of accidents overall. This trend isn’t unique to France. A 2022 study in the United Kingdom found that men are three times more likely to be involved in accidents that injure or kill pedestrians. In the U.S., men are involved in 72.3% of fatal crashes. These statistics suggest that men might be inherently more dangerous drivers, but it’s also worth considering whether they simply drive more miles or are more likely to take the wheel after drinking.

Analyzing the Impact of Driving Campaigns

While men constitute about half of all drivers, the high percentage of crashes involving men raises questions about driving habits and risk factors. Men might drive more aggressively because it feels masculine or as a way to impress others. Personal anecdotes and observations reinforce the idea that men often engage in reckless driving for various reasons, from showing off to releasing pent-up stress.

Potential Solutions and Cultural Considerations

Finding a solution to this issue is complex. In the U.S., where driving fast is often seen as a masculine trait, urging men to “drive like a woman” might backfire. However, this campaign could potentially resonate in France, where cultural attitudes towards driving might be different. Ultimately, reducing road accidents may require tailored approaches that consider cultural nuances and address the underlying motivations behind aggressive driving behaviors.

Conclusion

The “Drive like a woman” campaign aims to challenge aggressive driving habits by highlighting the safety records of female drivers. While its effectiveness remains to be seen, the campaign sparks an important conversation about driving safety and gender. As policymakers and safety advocates explore various strategies, the goal remains clear: making roads safer for everyone.

May 15

SUV slams into parked truck, flips onto side in Chula Vista; driver hospitalized

A driver was taken to the hospital early Wednesday morning after an SUV slammed into a parked pickup truck and flipped onto its side in a Chula Vista neighborhood.

Chula Vista Police officers and emergency responders were called to the 200 block of Madrona Street just before 2 a.m. due to a crash involving an SUV and truck with a driver trapped in the wreckage.

Firefighters had to break the SUV’s windshield and remove it to extricate the driver.

May 15

Man found shot dead inside running SUV just off I-20/59 in Bessemer; witnessess sought

A man was found shot to death inside his running vehicle just off Interstate 20/59 in Bessemer Wednesday morning.

A Bessemer police officer on patrol spotted the white Ford SUV in the middle of the road on the Alabama Adventure Parkway exit about 6 a.m., said Bessemer Det. Justin Burmeister.

The victim was pronounced dead on the scene.

Burmeister said investigators believe the shooting happened on the northbound interstate, somewhere between Interstate 459 and Alabama Adventure Parkway.

The victim is Bessemer’s fourth homicide this year. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 71 homicides including the four in Bessemer.

Police are asking that anyone who was traveling that stretch of the interstate between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. and may have seen something to call police at 205-481-4366, 425-2411 or the tip line at 205-428-3541.