Groups Unite to Eliminate Mercury Switches

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached an agreement with the automotive industry and environmental groups to begin the collection of mercury switches from vehicles before they are destroyed. Mercury switches were used in anti-lock brakes, convenience lights in trunks and under the hoods of automobiles built before the 2002 model year. Removing the mercury switches prior to a vehicle being recycled is vital in keeping the mercury from penetrating the environment. Currently, there are thought to be 35 million mercury switches in use across the United States.

Once the mercury is released into the air, it can accumulate in fish, humans and plants. The toxic metal is dangerous to both children, fetuses and the development of the nervous system.

Many states including Arkansas, New Jersey, Michigan and the Carolinas already have collection programs under way. This new agreement will promote a national mercury switch collection program. The program will be in effect until at least 2017 when an estimated 90 percent of the current 35 million vehicles containing mercury switches will no longer be in use. In addition to the EPA, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Ecology Center, the Environmental Council of the States, Environmental Defense and the Steel Recycling Institute were all involved in the negotiations of the new national collection program.

Mercedes-Benz Introduces Blinking Brake Lights

Mercedes-Benz has introduced new brake lights that blink during emergency stops. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has temporarily exempted Mercedes from U.S. auto safety standards. This will allow Mercedes to market and sell more than 2,000 vehicles with the blinking brake lights in the United States over the next two years.

The blinking brake lights are only activated when the brake pedal is pushed with force for a hard stop. Car companies are continuing to experiment with safety and lighting features. Automakers are seeing an increased popularity in lighting features on vehicles, specifically light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

GM Recalls 900,000 Pickup Trucks

General Motors Corp. issued a worldwide recall of more than 900,000 pickup trucks due to faulty tailgate cables. The specific vehicles being recalled are the 1999 and 2000 model year Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Of the 900,000 pickups being recalled, at least 805,368 are believed to be in the United States. According to GM, the cables that support the tailgate can corrode and eventually snap when the tailgate is down. At least 84 injuries have been reported with most being only minor bumps and scratches. Although the galvanized steel cables are wrapped and coated in plastic, water is able to penetrate the plastic and rust the steel cables. Owners of these particular GM vehicles received notice of the recall in April. The galvanized steel cables are being replaced with stainless steel cables. This is the second significant recall of GM vehicles due to faulty tailgate cables. GM first recalled model year 2000 and 2004 pickups and sports utility vehicles.

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