"Cummins has announced it will have a fully electrified powertrain system on the road by 2019, a move that indicates electrified powertrains are here to stay. In addition to the powertrain, Cummins will debut a range-extended electric vehicle a year later. The company did confirm that despite increasing its investment into electrification, it will maintain its investment in diesel, believing the fuel will endure in several markets for years to come."
"Republicans and Democrats in Congress sparred on Tuesday over U.S. states setting rules for testing and deployment of self-driving cars and a proposal to allow automakers and technology companies to bypass existing regulations in introducing autonomous cars."
"Democrats on a U.S. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee said that the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must play a more aggressive role in mandating self-driving car safety."
"A Republican draft package of 14 bills would allow NHTSA to exempt up to 100,000 vehicles per year from federal motor vehicle safety rules, which currently prevent the sale of self-driving vehicles without human controls. It would also bar states from setting self-driving rules and prevent NHTSA from preapproving self-driving car technologies."
"US 66 (Route 66) was officially removed from the United States Highway System on June 27, 1985 after it was decided the route was no longer relevant and had been replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Portions of the road that passed through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona have been designated a National Scenic Byway of the name “Historic Route 66”. It has begun to return to maps in this form. Some portions of the road in southern California have been redesignated “State Route 66” and others bear “Historic Route 66” signs and relevant historic information."
"New York transportation authorities and the State’s incomprehensible system for marking height clearance, not the GPS, are to blame when big trucks hit bridges in and around New York State.
"A big truck, 13 foot 6 inches high, passes the MUST exit sign on I-278 in Brooklyn, NY, but has no fear, despite the low clearance sign, the road will accommodate the truck height."
"We were jolted to attention by a Road Dog radio report that New York’s Senior Senator, Charles Schumer, is demanding an investigation into big trucks hitting bridges. Schumer blamed driver misuse of GPSs for the 43 incidents last year of trucks hitting bridges on Long Island. He wants “nation-wide standards” for GPSs."
"Clearance signage has become so confusing in New York state that the DOT has now added the word “ACTUAL” to clearance signs to eliminate confusion. Most clearance signs are actually, ONE foot less than real clearance, sometimes."
"Yes, trucks hit bridges. But the problem in New York is that transportation authorities force trucks off the actual, safe truck routes onto secondary routes because the State has chosen to post clearance signs that are wrong. The posted clearance is ONE foot less than the actual clearance. It is confusing. It is dangerous."
I think the City of Minnesota could have handled the negligent shooting death of Philando Castile much better. Rather then criminally charge a hardworking policeman for a rather bad on-duty mistake, the City Attorney should have sought to settle with the family out of court, and provided their estate with prompt justice in the form of a civil settlement payment for the loss of his life.
State Court of Claims are the best agency to remedy a loss of life on behalf of the state. Judges in the court of claims are familiar with the value of a life — both economically and emotionally. They can offer a fair payment that will ensure the estate of person whose life was incorrectly taken on the behalf of state will receive a significant payment. While a large cash payment can not bring back a loved one, it can be used for taking care of the children, providing them housing and food, and pay for their college. It can make sure widow isn’t evicted or goes hungry. Monetary compensation can actually help to remedy the financial harm done.
Now, with any civil suit or out of court settlement, it’s ultimately the taxpayers rather then the incompetent government official that gets socked with the bill. That’s unfortunate, but that’s why any employer in a risky business should have insurance or have a self-insurance reserve, and take steps to minimize future liability. A $5 million payment means that local leaders can no longer afford to repave a road, have as many police officers on the beat, or offer tax relief. This alone should encourage government to improve employee training, and teach their employees not to engage in risky behavior. And certainly, any employee who makes a serious mistake that costs their employers millions of dollars should be fired and forced to reconsider their career options.
That’s my take on the issue. Employee mistakes should be resolved by the employer in civil, not criminal court.