Lincoln Recall
Ford is set to recall 43,459 1999-2000 Lincoln Continentals that could contain airbags that deploy without being in an accident. The bags might be triggered by gravel or debris striking airbag sensors beneath the vehicle.
Vehicle Crashes Involving Pedestrians
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 12 percent of all deaths related to vehicle crashes involve pedestrians and almost one in five pedestrians killed in the United States each year is the victim of a hit and run accident. States with the highest fatalities: New Mexico, Arizona and Florida; the lowest: North Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. The cities with the worst rates of pedestrian deaths: Detroit, Denver and Phoenix; the best: Seattle, Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio.
Revised Truckers’ Hours
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has revised the hours-of-service rule for commercial drivers. Truck drivers may spend up to 11 consecutive hours behind the wheel (an increase of one hour), but must take at least 10 hours between driving shifts (a two-hour increase). The driver may work a maximum of 14 hours driving, loading and unloading (a one-hour decrease), although short-haul drivers may work a 16-hour day once a week. The revised rule goes into effect January 4, 2004.
Reservations Required for Snowmobilers
Snowmobilers will have to get reservations to enter Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and 80 percent of them must be accompanied by commercial guides this winter, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Daily limits will be set and noise and pollution monitored, which could affect the plan for the 2004-2005 winter.
