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Tag Archives: car fire

April 21, 2021 News
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Tesla car crash raises safety concerns with autopilot and electric car battery fires

The horrific fatal Tesla car accident has many public safety specialists quite concerned. The car collision killed two men who were both passengers in the vehicle at the time. Both men were sitting in passenger seats at the time of the fatal accident. The most obvious concern is with regards to the autopilot function that the Tesla car comes equipped with. The company insists that the autopilot function does not mean that the car can fully driver itself. Rather, the driver must actively monitor and maintain control of the vehicle. However, this is certainly not the first Tesla accident that has been blamed on the autopilot and the manufacturer is well aware of this dangerous situation. Some have questioned the sales tactics and safety claims made by the Tesla company. Road safety and consumer advocates say that the car manufacturer is shirking its responsibility by creating a hazardous condition but then just telling drivers that it’s their responsibility to maintain control over the vehicle. The company’s clear message has been that their car is safe and that the autopilot program is accurate and can prevent collisions.

Another major safety concern that has come to light in this Tesla electric vehicle accident is that of an uncontrollable car fire. The world of the electric car has grown faster than safety agencies believe is safe. They have expressed concerns regarding the dangerous car battery fires that have reignited after being put out by firefighters. The fact that quite a few car battery fires were caused by a car accident and were then more difficult to extinguish than a traditional gas-fueled vehicle has raised concerns. These car battery accidents have been well documented to cause internal damage that can lead to a fire hazard. The training and experience of firefighters have not been sufficient to prevent dangerous spread of a fire. In addition, some feel that car and battery manufacturers have ignored the safety hazard and have not provided sufficient training and advice on the matter. You can read more about the safety concerns surrounding electric vehicles here.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo Credit: Chris Yarzab [License]

August 31, 2014 News
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Dangerous cars sold after flood damage

A used car dealer was arrested for illegally selling flood damaged cars after last year’s hurricane. The cars, believed to have been sold to New York and New Jersey residents, were severely damaged by flood waters and were declared “totaled” by their insurance companies. However, this did not stop the owner of the used car seller from selling the hazardous vehicles as regular, safe cars. Car safety experts explain that the salt and water mixture together with the sand and debris from the flood waters can have dangerous effects on the cars, leading to a car fire and/or a car accident. Experts have expressed concern regarding the dangers created by the negligent sale of the potentially deadly vehicles that has created a hazardous condition for everyone on the road. According to officials, the damaged cars were given false identities when the seller created fake ownership titles.

The safety, legal and moral implications of creating the false paperwork apparently did not bother the owner of the car salespeople. They have been arrested and charged with various crimes that endanger public safety. In the meantime, the cars that have been identified as having potential to create an accident, fire or other hazard, have been taken off of the road. Experts say that these vehicles must not be driven and are useful only for spare parts. They warn that use of the vehicles can otherwise lead to injury or wrongful death. Industry specialists explain that electrical components can short circuit or overheat and moving parts may malfunction. Other concerns involve internal rust damage that can lead to a dangerous leak. Investigators will need to continue researching the sale of the dangerous vehicles in order to determine if there are any other cars involved. As of now, no injuries or car crash incidents have been reported involving these vehicles. A New York City accident lawyer noted that if anyone was injured by one of these cars, they have the right to speak to an attorney to decide on the best course of action. More on this investigation of dangerous car sales can be found here.

Illustrative photo by Andrea Booher (This image is from the FEMA Photo Library.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons