Imagine if 80-percent of car crashes by unimpaired drivers could be avoided. The U.S. Department of Transportation says emerging technology could do just that.
It's called vehicle-to-vehicle, or V2V. It's a sort of WiFi signal that communicates with other cars equipped with the technology. It can see things drivers can't - like cars in a blind spot or cars that barrel through an intersection - and alert the driver to take action. Right now, Ford, GM, and eight other automakers are working with USDOT to implement V2V in their cars for a trial run.
In one demonstration Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro participated in, the car ahead of hers stopped suddenly. Red lights on the dashboard blinked, the car made a beeping noise, and the driver's chair vibrated. That's how it works in a Ford. But other car companies might have their own take on it, and the alert could look a little different.
In the next simulation, a car was traveling alongside and was in the blind spot. Lights blinked in the side-view mirror when the driver tried to turn into the lane. Again, the alert might look different in other brands of cars.
This is just the beginning. Experts say one day, V2V could even automatically brake or swerve the car out of the way.
In August, 2,800 people in Ann Arbor, Michigan will have this V2V technology installed in their cars. Data and information will be collected over the course of a whole year. After that, the DOT will look over the research and put together their findings. The cost of the V2V trial run in Ann Arbor is estimated to cost $15-million, and is funded by federal and state money.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:59 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:59:47 GMT
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. Valarie Williams tells 13 ABC's Christine Long that it is nothing short of
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. As a man stood over her pointing a shot gun to her face, Valerie Williams says, "It was like an angel came because the cops pulled up."
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:16:18 GMT
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will put a levy request before voters this fall. The board of directors officially decided today to put a five year tax levy on the November 5th ballot. Port Authority
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will put a levy request before voters this fall. Port Authority leaders say the levy will help to continue its community development efforts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:32:43 GMT
The 13abc I-Team is investigating some huge and surprising utility bills for several Maumee residents who were surprised to open their bills and find they were up to ten times the normal amount. I-Team
The 13abc I-Team is investigating some huge and surprising utility bills for several Maumee residents who were surprised to open their bills and find they were up to ten times the normal amount.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:09 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:09:15 GMT
A new charter school in downtown Toledo is offering students a blended school environment. Students spend four hours in a classroom, and the rest of the curriculum is offered online. We spend the day
A new charter school in downtown Toledo is offering students a blended school environment. Students spend four hours in a classroom, and the rest of the curriculum is offered online. We spend the day at Nexus Academy of Toledo to see how the program works.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:02 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:02:17 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's elections chief said Thursday a first-of-its-kind statewide review found instances of voter fraud in the battleground state during last year's presidential election but not
Ohio's elections chief said Thursday a first-of-its-kind statewide review found instances of voter fraud in the battleground state during last year's presidential election but not rampant abuses.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:47 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:47:37 GMT
Source: TPS website
Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry. Court documents say the five were caught on surveillance camera throwing paint, birdseed,
Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:49:00 GMT
Frozen dessert shop Apricato opened its third location in downtown Perrysburg Thursday. Apricato serves a healthier option to frozen treats. They serve frozen yogurt and parfaits, with the option to add
Frozen dessert shop Apricato opened its third location in downtown Perrysburg Thursday. Apricato serves a healthier option to frozen treats.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:07:37 GMT
The picture has been shared over 23,000 times on Facebook. It shows a note pinned to a car. In the note, Facebook user, Jeremy Jon, explains that he took the car owners dog to the Bowling Green Police
Police say viral photo on Facebook is a hoax. Man claimed to save a dog and then posted it on the social network to impress a girl.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:39:26 GMT
We often report stories on the Ohio State Highway Patrol's K-9 unit. The dogs help Troopers find huge quantities of illegal drugs in our region every year. But between the big hits is a lot of hard work,
Ride along as an elite group of four legged crime fighters and their handlers take drugs off Northwest Ohio roads.
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