DUI fatalities down nationwide, says U.S. Sect. of Transportation August 29, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New national figures released today show a significant decline in the number of drunk-driving-related fatalities occurring nationally and in 32 individual states, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced, although the number of alcohol related fatalities among motorcyclists is climbing in half of the states.

U.S. EPA issues nonattainment recommendation process August 27, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a 30-day “comment period” for the public to voice opinions on the EPA’s suggested fine particle standards. On August 19 and 20, the EPA designated areas as “attainment” or “nonattainment” for fine particle pollution and notified states.

California, Connecticut pass revised steering bills August 27, 2008 By: Brian Albright

Anti-steering bills in Connecticut and California have passed their respective state legislatures, although in modified form.

OSHA proposes new respirator noncompliance regulation August 22, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a proposed regulation to amend the Remedy for Violation of Requirements to Provide Personal Protective Equipment and Train Employees regulation currently in place.

New consumer protection law cracks down on product safety August 20, 2008

The Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040) was signed into law this month and requires more stringent product regulations and testing.

Legislation continues the fight to protect intellectual property August 19, 2008 By: Krista McNamara

Industry supporters are pushing for approval of a pending bill that aims to strengthen intellectual property rights and crack down on piracy and counterfeiting before Congress recesses for the year.

PCI disappointed in court ruling on labor rate survey August 18, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) said it is disappointed with a ruling by a Rhode Island Superior Court judge that would require every insurance carrier authorized to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in the state to conduct a labor rate survey and use this information as the sole determinant of the prevailing auto body labor rate.

Steering, labor rates addressed by New York DOI August 15, 2008

The New York Insurance Department responded to a repairer’s questions about shop referrals, negotiating labor rates and reimbursable repair costs.

New hands-free legislation boosts Bluetooth sales in California, Washington August 12, 2008

The new hands-free driving legislation in California and Washington may have drivers complaining, but it has Bluetooth car-kit manufacturer Parrot singing for joy. Since the legislation took effect on July 1, Parrot has seen a three-fold increase in sales of its hands-free car kit, which it attributes to an aggressive advertising and public relations campaign it launched two months prior to the law taking effect.