January 2006 - Accident Reconstruction Newsletter

Welcome to the January 2006 edition of the Accident Reconstruction Newsletter. Happy New Year!

The year has begun full throttle. Last year we announced the first Crash Data Retrieval User's Conference and all the seats sold out in record time. The conference was held last week in Dallas/Irving, Texas. We have received many inquiries about availability of the conference proceedings now that the conference is over. The answer is yes. The ARC Network will compile the technical papers along with the PowerPoint presentations and supporting documents on a conference CD. This conference CD will be made available beginning March 1, 2006. You will find ordering information at the following web address:
www.crashconferences.com/products/index.html .

In December, we launched the new membership section of the ARC Network. Now you can join the ARC Network directly online through our secure merchant server. In addition, as soon as you join, you immediately have access to the member's only section of the ARC Network and if you choose to be listed in the ARC Network Expert Directory, you can create your listing directly online and it will be ready to view in real time. Now there is no need to download and print forms and wait for your membership. Everything is automated. Once you are a member, you can update and view all the details of your account and even renew and/or upgrade your account at any time. Learn more about membership.

The ARC Network web site continues to attract more and more people. We are now receiving over 2 million hits per month to the ARC Network web site. But what does that really mean? Well, in January 2006 the ARC Network recorded just over 83,000 unique visitors to the web site! That translates to just under 2,700 visitors each day using the ARC Network web site for our accident reconstruction and traffic investigation information.

Thank you for making the ARC Network the number one web site for accident reconstruction and traffic investigation.

Please use the links below to view this months featured articles. Note: you can use the "Back to Index" link to return to this index.

• 2005 Legislation Related to Event Data Recorders ("Black Boxes") in Vehicles
• Cell Phone Laws (July 2005)
• Driver Cell Phone Use in 2005 - Overall Results
• iWitness Photo - new accident reconstruction software for close range photogrammetry.
• Safety and Liability Issues Related to Repair Defects In Collision Damaged Vehicles
• Putting Pedestrian Safety in the Driving Seat
• Model Year 2005 Rollover Ratings
• Rear Crash Protection in SUVS and Pickups: Most seat/head restraints would do a poor job of protecting people's necks in rear-end crashes
• 2006 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Equipped Vehicles
• Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates by Type and Size of Vehicle
• ARC-CSI Crash Conference 2006
• Free Crash Data Retrieval Certification Course
• ARC Network New Members
• Events, Conferences and Seminars
• Accident Reconstruction News Articles
• Become a Member of the ARC Network

2005 Legislation Related to Event Data Recorders ("Black Boxes") in Vehicles

In 2004, California became the first state to enact legislation (Calif. Vehicle Code § 9951) requiring manufacturers to disclose to customers whether event data recorders or "black boxes" are installed in vehicles. Black boxes record data such as the speed of a vehicle, safety belt use, and other vehicle safety information. The law also prohibits download of that data without the owner's permission or a court order. In a related area, California (Calif. Civil Code § 1936) and New York (New York Gen. Bus. Law § 396-z) have passed laws prohibiting rental car companies from using electronic surveillance or global positioning devices to impose fees, charges or penalties relating to the renter's use of the vehicle.

This article (from the National Conference of State Legislatures web site) contains links to the current legislation regarding event data recorders in various states. This is a great resource web site if you currently use the Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval System.

Read the Full Article

<< Back to Index

Cell Phone Laws (July 2005)

This article reports the current cell phone laws in various states. It was compiled by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (www.iihs.org).

• Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia each have enacted a jurisdiction wide ban on driving while talking on a handheld cellular phone.
• Five states (Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania) allow localities to ban cell phone use. Localities that have enacted restrictions on cell phone use include: Chicago, IL; Brookline, MA; Santa Fe, NM; Brooklyn, North Olmstead and Walton Hills, OH; and Conshohocken, Lebanon and West Conshohocken, PA.
• Seven states (Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma and Orrom banning cell phone use.
• Eleven states (Arizona, Arkaegon) prohibit localities fnsas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New
  Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas) and DC prohibit the use of all cellular phones while driving a school bus.
• Ten states (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas) and DC restrict the use of cellular phones by teens in the graduated licensing system.
• All but three states with cell phone bans have primary enforcement laws. New Jersey's ban is a secondary enforcement law for everyone except school bus drivers and learner's permit and intermediate license holders. Colorado and Maryland have secondary enforcement laws. Secondary enforcement laws may only be enforced when a driver has been stopped for another infraction.

Read Full Article

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Driver Cell Phone Use in 2005 - Overall Results

Driver cell phone use increased in 2005, with 6 percent of drivers on hand-held phones in 2005 nationwide compared to 5 percent in 2004. This result is from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), which provides the only probability-based observed data on driver cell phone use in the United States. The NOPUS is conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Read Full Study

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iWitness
Close Range Photogrammetry

The ARC Network is pleased to announce iWitness close range photogrammetry software for accident reconstruction as the newest addition to the products directory.

iWitness is the image-based photogrammetry mapping software designed specifically for photogrammetry in accident reconstruction and forensic measurement. iWitness is used for photogrammetry in law enforcement across the USA and internationally. iWitness was designed for fast, accurate and simple-to-make 3D measurements from digital images and photographs (photogrammetry). The unparalleled ease of use of iWitness comes from the automation of its key functions, such as automatic camera recognition, calibration and data processing.

iWitness is an affordable and easy-to-use close-range photogrammetry software system. Developed for accident reconstruction and forensic measurement, iWitness uses images from consumer-grade digital cameras to create accurate 3D measurements and object models. iWitness also provides 3D measurement capabilities for engineering, architecture, heritage recording and virtual reality modeling projects. We encourage you to take our tour and learn more about what iWitness can offer you!

>> For complete information please click here

<< Back to Index

Safety and Liability Issues Related to Repair Defects In Collision Damaged Vehicles
By David W Truslow, Jr : dwtcorp@comcast.net

More than 41,000 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes each year, and crash injuries result in about 500,000 hospitalizations and four million emergency departments visits annually. The economic burden of motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries are also enormous, costing the United States more than $150 billion each year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began to evaluate its Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) in 1975. By December 2004, NHTSA had evaluated the life-saving benefits as well as the consumer cost for a substantial "core" group of safety technologies for passenger cars and LTVs (light pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans). In 2002, these technologies added an estimated $11,353,000,000 (in 2002 Dollars) to the cost of new cars and (LTVs) of that model year. They saved an estimated 20,851 lives in the cars and LTVs on the road during that calendar year. That amounts to $544,482 per life saved in 2002.

After an accident it is critical to restore all the vehicle’s safety features to factory tolerances to assure that the current driver and passengers, and any future owners, are afforded the same level of vehicle safety after the repairs as they had before the vehicle was wrecked. These safety features can be divided into two major categories; crash worthiness and crash avoidance.

Read Full Article

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Putting Pedestrian Safety in the Driving Seat
Article provided by: IST Results http://istresults.cordis.lu/

Every year in the European Union there are over 9,000 deaths and 200,000 injured victims in road accidents in which pedestrians and cyclists collide with a car. Hoping to improve on these grim statistics, is a cutting-edge sensing system that could ultimately help to save the lives of vulnerable road users (VRUs).

“The concept is relatively straightforward,” explains Dr Marc-Michael Meinecke of Volkswagen, which is one of the chief partners in the IST sponsored SAVE-U project along with other key industry players such as CEA, Daimler Chrysler, Faurecia, Mira, Siemens and VDO Automotive. “SAVE-U combines sensors such as radar, vision and infrared camera, as well as sensor fusion and actuators to increase safety for pedestrians. The main idea is that the sensors will recognize pedestrians and if a pedestrian has a high probability to collide with the vehicle then automatic braking will be initiated by the system,” he says.

Read Full Article

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Model Year 2005 Rollover Ratings

NHTSA has released rollover ratings for model year 2005 vehicles. Comparative results can be viewed by class (SUVs, Pickups, Vans or Passenger Cars). The white bar in the Rollover Rating graphic represents the range of percentages for all vehicles tested in a given vehicle class (passenger cars, vans, pickup trucks, or SUVs) for the last three model years -- the current model year (2005) plus the two earlier model years (2003, 2004). For more details on understanding the rollover tests and rating system, please visit the FAQ section of our rollover site: http://www.safercar.gov/Rollover/pages/faqs.htm#rollodiam

Read Full Article

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Rear Crash Protection in SUVS and Pickups: Most seat/head restraints would do a poor job of protecting people's necks in rear-end crashes

This article was compiled by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (www.iihs.org).

ARLINGTON, VA — Only 6 of the seat/head restraint combinations in 44 current model SUVs are rated good for protection against whiplash injuries in rear end crashes. None of the seat/head restraint designs in 15 pickup truck models earns a good rating. Overall 4 out of 5 SUV and pickup seat/head restraints recently evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are rated marginal or poor for whiplash protection. This is the first time the Institute has tested SUV and pickup seats using a dummy that can measure forces on the neck during a simulated rear-end crash.

Only the seats in the Ford Freestyle, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover LR3, Subaru Forester, and Volvo XC90 models earn good overall ratings. Among those earning poor ratings are seat/head restraints in popular models such as the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, and Toyota 4Runner SUVs plus the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and some seats in Ford F-150 and Dodge Dakota pickups.

Read Full Article

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2006 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Equipped Vehicles

The following article contains a list of Model Year 2006 vehicles with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as available equipment – either Standard or Optional – as reported to NHTSA by the vehicle manufacturers. Vehicle manufacturers may elect to make ESC available on other models during the model year. Check with your manufacturer.

Read Full Article

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Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates by Type and Size of Vehicle

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has routinely published (NHTSA, 2005) passenger vehicle occupant fatality rates, both overall and in vehicles that rolled over, by the type of the vehicle, such as passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks or vans. These categories of vehicles are broad and may mask differences in rates that might exist between vehicles of different sizes within a type. This Research Note examines the occupant fatality rates by vehicle type and size and found that in all fatal crashes, when broken down by size, Compact Cars have the highest occupant fatality rate while the “large vans” category has the lowest occupant fatality rate. Among vehicles that rolled over, midsize SUVs have the highest occupant fatality rate while large passenger cars had the lowest occupant fatality rate.

Read Full Article

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ARC-CSI Crash Conference 2006

Date: June 5-8, 2006
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Hotel: Palace Station Hotel and Casino
Crash Testing: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
ACTAR: 21 CEUs Pending
ATTENDEE: Registration Form
EXHIBITOR: Registration Form

2006 ARC-CSI Web Site

The fifth ARC-CSI Conference, run for the fourth year in Las Vegas and including activities at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is designed to be topical, timely and a lasting learning experience for all involved. The topics for the 2006 conference are yet to be determined.

We are currently confirming topics and speakers for this years conference. All information will be posted to the web site shortly.

As has been the case with ARC-CSI conferences in the past, a half day of live crash testing will kick off the conference on the first day followed by 3 days of speaker presentations. Crash data compiled during that week's testing and speaker's Power Point presentations will be made available on CD and will distributed at the close of the conference.

Witness live crash testing first hand, attend presentations by recognized leaders in their field, leave Las Vegas with crash data in hand including the photos and video of the testing, copies of presentations for later review and related documents and reference material. It's hard to find a better opportunity for training anywhere.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The ARC Network is now accepting attendee registrations for this years ARC-CSI Crash Conference.
Registration Fee:
>> Early Registration (until April 30, 2006): $599
>> Late Registration (After April 30, 2006): $799

HOTEL INFORMATION
This years ARC-CSI Crash Conference will be held at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. The ARC Network has arranged a special room rate for attendees of this conference. For complete hotel information and to book your room, click here.

EXHIBITOR & SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Let your product or service share the spotlight at the ARC-CSI Crash Conference. Each year the ARC Network offers an Exhibitor room for companies to display their products and/or services to the attendees of the ARC-CSI Crash Conference. We also offer opportunities to gain further recognition at the conference by being a sponsor. If you would like to be a Exhibitor or Sponsor at this years ARC-CSI Crash Conference, click here.

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Free CSI Crash Data Retrieval Certification Course
Special Offer by the ARC Network

The Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval System has fast become an indispensable part of a complete crash reconstruction program. Police agencies, private reconstructionists, government agencies and other safety researchers have fast come to the realization that data stored in the air bag control module and accessible using the Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) System is an invaluable part of a complete and thorough crash reconstruction. Whether for trial, research, or any other crash related safety program, the Crash Data Retrieval System has become an integral tool in the effort to move roadway safety efforts forward.

Purchase a CDR System through the ARC Network and choose between:

• FREE tuition to the CDR Technician and Analyst Certification course ($450 value) offered by Collision Safety Institute plus a free one-year membership to the ARC Network

  OR (if you choose or have already taken the certification course)

• A $200 Cash rebate and a free one-year membership to the ARC Network.

>> Click here for the Details
or call the ARC Network toll free (866) 223-4984

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ARC Network New Members

Please welcome the newest members of the ARC Network.

If you would like to become a member and support the Accident Reconstruction Network, please visit the Membership Section and sign up directly online through our secure server.

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Events, Conferences & Seminars

The ARC Network host a comprehensive calendar of events relating to the accident reconstruction and traffic accident investigation industry. New events are always being added. Some of the events that have just been added:

• ARC-CSI Crash Conference - June 2006

View the entire Events Calendar

The ARC Network is pleased to announce we have just added MapScenes as an education partner.

Following is a list of upcoming training opportunities from MapScenes:

• Forensic Mapping with Evidence Recorder 3.0 and MapScenes PRO 2006
  February 6-10 , 2006
  ACTAR approved for 30 CEU’s
  Hall County Sheriff’s Office
  Law Enforcement Training Center
  3600 North Academy Road
  Grand Island, NE
• Evidence Recorder 3.0 and MapScenes PRO 2006 Upgrade Class
  February 20-24, 2006
  ACTAR approved for 30 CEU’s
  Stanislaus County, CA Sheriff
  Riverbank, CA
• Evidence Recorder 3.0 and MapScenes PRO 2006 Upgrade Class
  March 6-10, 2006
  West Chester Police Department
  West Chester, OH
• Evidence Recorder 3.0 and MapScenes PRO 2006 Upgrade Class
  March 20-24, 2006
  ACTAR approved for 30 CEU’s
  San Jose Police Training Center
  San Jose, CA
• Forensic Mapping Training Class
  April 10 - 14, 2006
  ACTAR approved for 30 CEU’s
  Royal Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
  Palm Beach, FL
• Introduction to Forensic Mapping with Evidence Recorder 3.0
  May 8-12, 2006
  Savannah - Chatham Metro PD
  Savannah, GA
• Introduction to Forensic Mapping with MapScenes Pro 2006
  May 15-19, 2006
  Savannah - Chatham Metro PD
  Savannah, GA

  Please visit the training section of MapScenes web site for complete information and to register for classes.

  << Back to Index

Accident Reconstruction News Articles

The ARC Network continually posts news articles relating to accident reconstruction, traffic accident investigation and automotive safety. The newest articles are always posted on the ARC Network's homepage and all the archived articles are posted in the AR News Section.

Following are the news articles posted in December-January 2006:

January 31, 2006:
Lexus GS Earns Top Rating in Demanding Side Impact Test

January 26, 2006:
Volvo says recalls 42,000 trucks from U.S. market

January 24, 2006:
Subaru B9 Tribeca and Forester Rank High in Safety Ratings

January 19, 2006:
TRW Automotive Launches Production of Steering and Occupant Safety Systems for New Ford Focus in China

January 18, 2006:
Who Dies When Teen Drivers Crash? Majority of People Killed in Teen Driver Crashes are Passengers, Other Drivers

January 13, 2006:
Volvo XC90 Ranks Top in Test of Whiplash Protection

January 8, 2006:
US group says auto head restraints fall short

January 3, 2006:
SUVs No Safer than Passenger Cars for Children, New Study Finds

January 3, 2006:
Delphi Provides Advanced Collision Warning System for European Platform

December 29, 2005:
Michelin Announces Safety Recall

December 23, 2005:
GM to recall 553,000 SUVs, trucks to fix brakes

December 21, 2005:
DaimlerChrysler recalls 61,000 Mercedes sedans

December 20, 2005:
GM recalling 425,593 vans for faulty seat belts

December 9, 2005:
'Real World' Safety Research vs. One Crash Test

<< Back to Index

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Each month the ARC Network continues to grow with new memberships and contacts.
We now have over 600 members and going strong. We would like to thank everyone for their support.

The ARC Network would like to thank everyone for continuing to make the
ARC Network the number one web site for accident reconstruction and traffic investigation.

Please direct any questions regarding this issue of the Accident Reconstruction Newsletter to
the ARC Network

© 2006 ARC Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
Any comments, questions or suggestions should be e-mailed to the ARC Network.

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