Monthly Archives: <span>September 2015</span>

California Wildfire Evacuees Describe Choosing What to Save

Hundreds of people rushing to escape a massive wildfire charging across the tinder-dry Sierra Nevada foothills said Saturday that they had to make wrenching decisions about what to save – pets, loved ones’ ashes – and what to leave to …

IIHS Expands, Opens New Track to Focus on Crash Avoidance Technologies

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety began a new chapter Friday, opening an expanded testing facility that will enable it to evaluate the latest crash avoidance technologies year-round. The $30 million expansion of the Vehicle Research Center was made possible …

Automakers Agree to Add Automatic Brakes on All New Cars

Ten automakers have committed to the government and a private safety group that they will include automatic emergency braking in all new cars, a step transportation officials say could significantly reduce traffic deaths and injuries. But safety advocates were swift …

Japan City Assesses Damage From Torrential Floods

Happiness is relative – floods may destroy your family’s livelihood and fill your house with mud, but at least it’s standing and you’re alive. “It’s still here!” said 34-year-old Chie Takahashi, one of the first residents to return to her …

U.S. Aims to Avoid Another Blue Bell With New Food Safety Rules

Sweeping new rules meant to curtail foodborne illnesses that sicken one in six Americans each year will require food companies to create and follow new preventive safety measures, U.S. regulators announced Thursday. The rules require food companies to develop written …

Baltimore Settles Freddie Gray Wrongful Death Suit for $6.4M

The family of Freddie Gray, who died after being critically injured in police custody, reached a $6.4 million wrongful death settlement with the city of Baltimore, resolving civil claims about a week after the first hearing in the criminal case …

Better Signs Could Help Reduce Friction Between Motorists, Bicyclists

A simple change in the wording of a traffic sign – from “Share the Road” to “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” – could help clarify the rules of the road for bicyclists and motorists, according to a North Carolina State …

Huge Potential Liability Emerges Years After BASF Acquired Engelhard

When BASF SE acquired Engelhard Corp. nine years ago for $5 billion, executives unknowingly inherited a ticking legal time bomb. It all began decades ago over the seemingly mundane industrial product talc, used in everything from wallboards to handling auto …

Louisiana Hurricane Museum Fundraising Continues

Ten years after back-to-back storms Katrina and Rita galvanized plans for a Lake Charles museum focused on hurricanes, supporters have secured about $42 million in pledges to build it. The Advocate reports the supports are now focused on closing a …

Bats and Balls Cause the Worst Injuries to Major League Catchers

Contrary to popular belief, the worst injuries baseball catchers face on the field come from errant bats and foul balls, not home-plate collisions with base runners, according to findings of a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University …