July/August 2005 - Accident Reconstruction Newsletter

Welcome to the July/August 2005 issue of the Accident Reconstruction Newsletter. It has been a busy summer at the ARC Network. Along with the normal day-to-day business of keeping the ARC Network up to date with all the newest information regarding accident reconstruction and traffic accident investigation, we have also been working on the planning and preparation of the Crash Data Retrieval User's Conference, the beginning phases of securing and scheduling the 2006 ARC-CSI Crash Conference, implementing a plan to offer free CDR certification classes or cash rebates for those who are buying a Vetronix CDR System Kit, added a new database to the Member's Only section (CDR Download reports from NHTSA crash tests) and writing the requirements for reprogramming the way memberships and membership renewals work in the ARC Network. All of this is done because we are committed to making the ARC Network the number one resource for accident reconstruction and traffic accident 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.

• CDR Users Conference - Update
• Alcohol Related Fatalities in 2004
• Enslaving towed vehicle brakes to ABS of the towing vehicle; an economical and effective means for enhanced braking
• 'Black boxes' keep eye on bad drivers
• Safety Belts and Older Teens–2005 Report
• Crash Data Retrieval Reports attached to Some NHTSA Crash Test Reports
• Free CDR Certification Class with the Purchase of a Vetronix CDR System Kit
• ARC Network New Members
• Events, Conferences and Seminars
• Accident Reconstruction News Articles
• Become a Member of the ARC Network

Crash Data Retrieval User's Conference
CDRtool Users group, ARC Network, Collision Safety Institute, Vetronix, NAPARS and others.

With the ever-growing population of police agencies and private practice reconstructionists using the Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval System, a comprehensive conference to publish CDR System related information in the form of papers, data compendium and the like has been officially scheduled. The first Crash Data Retrieval User's Conference will be held in Dallas, Texas. The dates for the conference are February 13-14, 2006.

This 2-day conference will also cover:

• Legal Issues
• Legislation
• User Applications
• Future Developments
• and more...

The CDR User's conference is being hosted by the ARC Network and Collision Safety Institute. To date, sponsors include Vetronix, NAPARS, and CDRtool User's Group. We have also been in conversation with NHTSA, NTSB and various automobile manufacturers to participate in this conference.

Space is limited
There is limited space at this conference and we have already started receiving registrations, so please register early to guarantee your seat.
>> Download the registration form <<

Hotel Information
The Crash Data Retrieval User's Conference will be held at the Embassy Suites DFW International Airport South Hotel. To make your room reservation please use the following information:

Room Reservation Phone Number: (800) 934-7972
Group Rate Code: "ARC"
The ARC Network has negotiated a special group rate for those attending this conference.
The special group rate is only $112/night (normally $199/night).

If you would like to present a paper at this conference,
please email the ARC Network (arc@accidentreconstruction.com) with your proposed topic.

More information about this conference can be found at www.crashconferences.com.

<< Back to Index

Alcohol Related Fatalities in 2004
NHTSA Report August 2005

Early results from the 2004 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) show that the number of alcohol-related1 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes declined from 2003. This is the second consecutive year in which alcohol-related fatalities have declined, after reaching a recent high of 17,524 in 2002. With an expected increase in vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the alcohol-related fatality rate per 100 million VMT will be 0.57, the lowest recorded by the Department of Transportation. Also, fatalities in “high-alcohol” crashes, i.e., crashes where the highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .08 grams per deciliter or above, also declined by 1.8 percent, to 14,409 fatalities.

>> Read Full Article

<< Back to Index

Enslaving towed vehicle brakes to ABS of the towing vehicle; an economical and effective means for enhanced braking
By Dan Goor

The article in your last newsletter regarding tests on trailers towed by tractors equipped with ABS was quite interesting and very consistent with work done on ABS when it was first introduced by Ford, based on Kelsey-Hayes produced systems.

At the time, while managing much of the ABS development at Kelsey-Hayes, and in a parallel effort, I put together a special trailer braking system on behalf Ed Hayes, RIP, who was Vice President of Engineering at Kelsey-Hayes. The system was designed to explore means for taking advantage of ABS in a towing vehicle for enhancing the braking of the towed vehicle. Our base hypothesis was that ABS action on the trailer will offer significant benefits.
>> Read Full Article

<< Back to Index

'Black boxes' keep eye on bad drivers
Oakland court program, first of its kind, monitors moves of repeat traffic offenders.

A program in southwest Oakland County that targets drivers who repeatedly have run afoul of the law has started using "black box" technology to monitor whether some repeat offenders are driving safely. It's the same technology some nervous parents use to keep tabs on their teenagers' driving habits.

The program is believed to be the first in the state to target the drivers; it is also one of the first in the country to turn to the black boxes, which track everything from how fast a car goes to whether it takes corners too sharply. It follows a Detroit News investigation in 2003 that found drivers with long track records of defying the law are involved in one of every six fatal wrecks in Michigan and had killed more than 1,800 people over eight years.
>> Read Full Article

<< Back to Index

Safety Belts and Older Teens–2005 Report
March 2005

Teens have higher fatality and injury rates in motor vehicle crashes than any other age group. This may be attributable to both driving inexperience and a greater propensity for risk taking behaviors. For instance, while teens are learning the new skills needed for driving, many frequently engage in high-risk behaviors such as speeding and/or driving after using alcohol or other drugs, and not wearing their safety belts. Studies also have shown teens are easily distracted while driving, especially by other teen passengers. Safety belt use is one of the most effective measures to decrease injuries and deaths in a crash; unfortunately, teens are less likely to be buckled up than any other age group.
>> Read Full Article

<< Back to Index

Crash Data Retrieval Reports attached to Some NHTSA Crash Test Reports

NHTSA is now providing a copy of the Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) download report as a part of their published crash test information. Currently there are 26 separate CDR reports available. The ARC Network has added all of these reports to the Member's Only section. The ARC Network has taken the information and presented it in an easy to read table format. Also included in the table are links to the crash test and any videos and/or photographs of the crash test. Below is a partial screen shot of the table as presented in the ARC Network Member's Only section.

If you are currently a member of the ARC Network, simply log in to the Member's Only section then click the link - "CDR Crash Data from NHTSA Crash Testing". If you are not a member of the ARC Network, membership starts at just $69 per year- click here for the membership form

<< Back to Index

Free CDR Certification Class with the Purchase of a Vetronix CDR System
Value up to $300

The ARC Network is always looking for ways to offer great deals to our users. As the vehicle list that supports the Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval System continues to grow, so does the need to add the Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval System to your accident reconstruction toolbox. The ARC Network has negotiated with Vetronix and the Collision Safety Institute (CSI) to offer those who purchase the Vetronix CDR System free tuition to the CSI CDR Operator's Certification course (a $300 value). This is a limited time offer.

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 ONLY accessible using the Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) System is an invaluable part of a complete and thorough crash reconstruction. Whether for trial, research any other crash related safety program, the CDR System has become an integral tool in the effort to move roadway safety efforts forward. However, as with any technology, merely owning the tool isn't enough. Responsible safety professionals, regardless of background, realize that they need to be properly trained, certified, in the use of a system that may become a pivotal bit of evidence at trial or a central part of meaningful research.

>> More Information <<

<< Back to Index

ARC Network New Members

Please welcome the newest members of the ARC Network.

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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:

• IATAI Conference - September 2005
• TAARS Annual Conference - September 2005
• WATAI Fall Conference - October 2005
• CDR Users Conference - February 2006
• ARC-CSI Crash Conference - June 2006

View the entire Events Calendar

<< 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 July and August 2005:

July 29, 2005:
Auto Black Box Laws Could Pose Underwriting Obstacles, NAMIC Says

July 29, 2005:
Car computer systems at risk as viruses go mobile

July 22, 2005:
Kia recalls over 118,000 minivans from U.S. roads

July 21, 2005:
Toyota recalls 345,443 minivans in U.S.

July 18, 2005:
Nissan recalls more than 125,000 Murano SUVs

July 17, 2005:
Luxury Automobiles Audi A6 and Infiniti M35 Earn Top Scores in Frontal and Side Crash Tests

July 12, 2005:
New Research Reinforces Safety Hazards of Cell Phone Use While Driving

July 11, 2005:
New Safety Feature for All-Terrain Vehicles Called Flip Alert

July 7, 2005:
Volkswagen, Ford, Toyota recall vehicles

July 5, 2005:
Safety Experts Issue New ATV Guidelines

August 31, 2005:
Nissan unveils new car-to-car crash test facility

August 30, 2005:
GM recalls 804,000 pickups and SUVs to fix brakes

August 29, 2005:
New Bosch Airbag ECU Provides Optimal Protection

August 24, 2005:
Continental Lauds Outgoing NHTSA Chief for Safety Legacy in Preventing Crashes

August 19, 2005:
Gov't Proposes New Car Roof Crush Standard

August 19, 2005:
Japan's Troubled Truckmaker Mitsubishi Fuso Recalls 41,548 Trucks to Fix Part

August 17, 2005:
Total Child Deaths Down 18 Percent Since 1996; Front Seat Deaths Down 46 Percent; Safety Advocates Hail Remarkable Public Health Achievement

August 17, 2005:
Government Investigating Air-Bag Light on Some Models of the Honda Accord

August 11, 2005:
Michigan Court Issues Inconsistent Verdict in Ford Explorer Rollover Death

August 3, 2005:
Honda recalls more than 85,000 minivans in U.S.

August 2, 2005:
Motorcycle Safety Foundation Comments on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2004 Fatalities Report

August 1, 2005:
2006 Honda Ridgeline Earns Best-Ever Rollover Rating for a Pickup

<< Back to Index

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Each month the ARC Network continues to grow with new memberships and contacts.
We now have over 500 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

© 2005 ARC Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
Any comments, questions or suggestions should be e-mailed to the ARC Network.

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