Death by Driverless Car

A number of news outlets are already reporting the first pedestrian death that occurred when an autonomous vehicle struck and killed a woman in Tempe Arizona.  According to the news reports, the vehicle was operated by Uber with a human driver for safety.  The woman was crossing a street, at a point other than a crosswalk, with her bicycle.  It should be pointed out that, jaywalking is not recommended nor is it legal in most municipalities.   The vehicle, a Volvo XC90, failed to detect her presence, struck and killed her.  First and foremost, this is a prime example of the fact that we as a society are a long way from having autonomous vehicles take us where we want to go.  Second, there was a human being in the vehicle when the accident occurred, supposedly for safety purposes.  So, why didn’t he take the wheel and try to avoid hitting the woman?  Did the event present itself so suddenly that there wasn’t time for him to react?  Or was he so surprised by the woman’s appearance that he was stunned and couldn’t move?  It is possible that the woman walked into traffic in front of the Volvo with no thought about what she doing.  In that case, she was most likely at fault.  However, we are constantly being told that autonomous vehicles will be much safer and that the accident rate will go down when these vehicles are in common use.  But, what about when the car’s computer has to make an ethical decision?  What does the vehicle do when it has to decide whether to kill a pedestrian or crash into another vehicle and risk killing some or all of its occupants?  Speaking from a forensic standpoint, remember, the movements of the vehicle will be preprogrammed at the manufacturer’s factory based on various scenarios that drivers face everyday.  Are you ready to forfeit your life on the basis of what some programmer thinks is the right thing to do?

Ford Recalls Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Vehicles

The Ford Motor Company has announced that it is recalling approximately 1.3 million Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for a steering wheel problem.  Specifically, the steering wheel in these vehicles is loosening and could possibly detach from the steering column.  This recall applies to

2014 – 2017 Fusion vehicles built at the Flat Rock plant between August 6, 2013 and February 29, 2016;

2014 – 2018 Fusion vehicles built at the Hermosillo Mexico plant between July 25, 2013 and March 5, 2018; and

2014 – 2018 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at the Hermosillo Mexico plant between July 25, 2013 and March5, 2018.

Dealers will replace the steering bolt at no cost to customers.  For additional information, customers can contact Ford by calling 1-800-392-3673 or on-line by visiting www.ford.com and searching recalls.  You have your vehicle identification number to do a search.

Fire Hazards and Recalls

Infant Seats:

The U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that Fisher Price is recalling 63,000 infant motion seats.  The products are sold under the Soothing Motions Seats and Smart Connect Motions Seats brand names.  The model numbers involved are CMR35, CMMR36, CMR37, DYH22 and CMR39.  The motors in these infant seats have a tendency to overheat resulting in a fire hazard.  These products were sold by such stores as BuyBuyBaby, Target, Toys R Us, and Walmart. The seats were also sold on line by Amazon.com and other websites from November 2015 through October 2017.  Consumers should stop using these products and contact Fisher Price for a full refund.  Consumers can contact Fisher Price by calling 1-800-432-5437 or go on line to www.service.mattel.com and click on “Recalls and Safety Alerts” for additional information.  The recall number for this campaign is 18-015.  A photo of the seat is shown below.

Dishwashers:

On October 1, 2015 BSH Home Appliances recalled 149,000 dishwashers due to a faulty line cord that could overheat and ignite.  This recall has been recently expanded to included another 408,000 units.  The dishwashers were sold under the Bosch, Gaggenau, Jenn-Air, and Thermador brands.  The model and serial numbers for each brand included in the recall are shown below.

Bosch:

SHE33T   SHP53T   SHV53T   SHX53T

SHE53T   SHP65T   SHV68T   SHX65T

SHE65T   SHP7PT   SHV7PT   SHX68T

SHE68T             SHV8PT   SHX7PT

SHE7PT                       SHX8PT

SHE8PT

All of the above models fall in the serial number range FD 9209 – 9403

 

SGE53U   SHE9PT   SPE5ES   SPV5ES

SGE63E   SHV9PT   SPE53U   SPX5ES

SGE68U   SHX53R   SPE68U

SGV63E   SHX7ER            SPX68U

SGX68U   SHX9PT

All of the above models fall in the serial number range FD 9401- 9501

 

Gaggenau:

DF2417    DF2607    DF 2617

All of the above models fall in the serial number range FD 9401 – 9501

 

Jenn-Air:

JDB9600CWS   JDB9600CWP    JDB9600CWX

All of the above models fall in the serial number range FD 9404 – 9501

 

Thermador:

DWHD44   Serial number range FD 9209 – 9403

DWHD64 & DWHD65  Serial number range FD 9401 – 9501

Consumers are requested to stop using the recalled units and contact BSH Home Appliances for a free inspection and repair.  Consumers can call 1-888-965-5813 or go line at the brand websites www.bosch-home.com/us, www.gaggenau.com/us, www.jennair.com, or www.thermador.com and request additional information.  The recall number for this campaign is 18-013  The dishwashers are shown below.

 

 

 

Portable Power Banks:

Amazon has recalled 260,000 portable power banks due to fire and chemical burn hazards.  The unit’s battery can overheat and ignite.  This recall applies to six different versions of AmazonBasics’ portable lithium ion battery chargers/power banks.  The power banks can be identified by the black case imprinted with the AmazonBasics’ logo on the front.  In addition, the recalled units have one of the following product identification numbers: B00LRK8EV0, B00LRK8HJ8, B00LRK8170, B00LRK81V0, B00LRK8JDC, and B00ZQ4JQAA.  Consumers are requested to stop using the power bank units and contact Amazon for instructions on how to return the unit and receive a full refund.  Amazon can be contacted by calling 1-855-215-5134 or visiting https://amazonpowerbank.expertinquiry.com .  The recall number for this campaign is 18-728. A photo of the power banks is shown below.

 

 

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners:

Goodman Company has announced the recall of 534,000 packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) because the outdoor fan motor can overheat.  Overheating of the motor can pose burn and fire hazards.  This recall applies to units with the Goodman, Amana, York International, and Energy Knight brand names.  The unit models that are included in this recall begin with the following prefixes: EKTC15, EKTH15, PMC15, PMH12, PMH15, PTC15, PTH12, PTH15, UCBY15, and UCYH15.  The first four digits of the serial numbers are in the range between 1001 and 1709.  The units were installed in such places as motels, schools, hotels, and apartment buildings.  Consumers should contact Goodman for a free repair kit and installation by an authorized technician.  Goodman can be contacted by calling 1-888-803-0512 or on line at https://www.amana-ptac.com.  The recall number for this campaign is 18-113.  A photo of the unit is shown below.

 

Sink Top Garbage Disposal Switch:

Insinkerator has recalled its sink top accessory switch for garbage disposals due to a problem with water getting into the power module.  When this happens, the power module can overheat and ignite.  The models that are involved in this recall are 76703, STS-SOSN, 78251 and 74300.  1,400,000 units are affected.  Garbage disposals activated by a wall switch are not included in this recall.  Consumers should stop using the switch and contact Insinkerator for a free replacement.  Insinkerator can be contacted by calling 1-855-215-5695 or on line at www.insinkerator.com.  The recall number for this campaign is 18-116. A photo of the switch is shown below.

 

All of the above information was obtained from the website of the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission at http://www.cpcs.gov

 

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Hyundai Santa Fe Recall

The National Highway Traffic Administration has announced that Hyundai Motor America is recalling approximately 43,941 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles.  All of the vehicles involved in the recall are for model year 2018.  The problem with the vehicles is that the steering wheel can break and separate from the steering column resulting in a loss of control and possibly a crash.  Hyundai is planning to notify owners and will replace the steering wheel assembly free of charge if necessary.  The recall is expected to begin on March 16, 2018.  Hyundai’s recall number for this campaign is 173.  For additional information, consumers can contact Hyundai be calling customer service at 1-855-371-9460.