Daimler Chrysler has recalled 495,000 Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs in the U.S. and more abroad. The problem is with the airbags, which can go off unexpectedly.Insufficient grounding of the steering components, along with a broken clock spring, can result in an...
AAA: ‘Explosion’ of dashboard technology proves very distracting
A new study by AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety raises serious questions about all the new "infotainment" technology automakers are packing into new vehicles. The study found that, even where the in-vehicle technology was less distracting than a cellphone app, it...
12 women accuse jailed New Mexico psychiatrist of sexual abuse
In July, a New Mexico psychiatrist was arrested on six counts of criminal sexual penetration as well as five counts of criminal sexual conduct. The sexual abuse occurred during "visits to his office during office hours that were part of supposed treatment," according...
Study: Off-road vehicle use may expose riders to asbestos
A recent meta-analysis of 15 prior studies and reports found that off-road vehicle (ORV) use is associated with asbestos exposure. That means there is a risk that riders could develop mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, and other diseases.The...
Bicyclists and motorists: the battle for road space
Most road lanes were designed for one car to navigate comfortably. Increasingly, we see roads with bike lanes, but these are by no means universal. Many bikes and motor vehicles are forced to share spaces that do not offer either a comfortable amount of space to...
Crime rates up for second year but still near historic lows
According to the FBI's most recent "Crime in the United States" report, violent crime rose noticeably in Albuquerque between 2015 and 2016, but only modestly nationwide. Experts say the national rise in violent crime is driven by spikes in a few cities and the overall...
EpiPen makers accused of failing to investigate defective devices
EpiPens can be a lifeline in deadly situations. An EpiPen directly injects epinephrine, immediately alleviating life-threatening allergic reactions. With so much at stake, it is important that the device functions correctly. However, the makers of EpiPen have been...
Is your loved one’s nursing home prepared for an emergency?
Hurricane Irma slammed into South Florida on Sept. 14. The next day, eight residents of the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills died. The facility did not seek evacuation even though the air conditioning was knocked out by the storm, and some elderly and disabled...
Trucking industry wants in on self-driving vehicle regulation bill
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill meant to make it easier for self-driving cars to get on the road -- and to block states from restricting them. The bill is now before the Senate Commerce Committee, and the trucking industry has...
Hawkes family seeks default judgment against city in death case
The family of Mary Hawkes, the 19-year-old who was shot down by police in 2014, has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Albuquerque. They claim a series of unlawful searches and seizures, along with Albuquerque Police Department negligence, led to the...