Close calls: on the road and on the phone

Article Abstract:

Even though many people believe that cellular phone use contributes to accidents, there is no hard data to back them up, largely because no one tracks which cars have telephones. Insurance companies do not record phones separately, because so few are stolen. If police suspect phone use caused an accident, they will cite the driver for inattention or speeding, because use of a telephone is not a crime. A 1991 study suggests that drivers using cellular phones are one-fifth less attentive than non-phone-users. Phone makers have developed hands-free phones. A spokeswoman for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Assn says drivers face other distractions, such as eating in the car or trying to change an audio tape. Car phones can increase safety, especially when users report accidents and drunk drivers.

Radiotelephone communications, Cellular telephones, Wireless telephones, Accidents, Mobile Phones, Car Phones, User Behavior, Failure

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New circuit breaker for planes and homes is the sensitive type

Article Abstract:

Conventional circuit breakers use a bi-metal switch. When the circuit shorts out, the expanding metal bends and trips the switch, cutting off the flow of electricity. A new device, the arc fault interrupter, monitors the alternating current wave form. Distortions longer than12 milliseconds will cause the circuit to open. When a wire's insulation is flawed, electricity can jump, or arc, from the break to adjacent metal surfaces. In both homes and aircraft an open spark can cause a fire. Where older breakers trip only after current has leaked over time, the arc fault interrupter is designed to work almost instantaneously.

Product development, Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing, Instruments to measure electricity, Electronic Test & Measure Eqp, Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals, Aviation Electronics, Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing, Switchgear and switchboard apparatus, Low Voltage Circuit Breakers, Statistical Data Included, Instrument industry (Equipment), Product introduction, Testing and measuring equipment industry, Electronic test device, Electronic test equipment, Technology application, Industrial equipment industry, Eaton Corp., ETN, Power transmission equipment industry, Avionics, Circuit breakers, Avionics industry

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U.S. Wants All Air Traveler Files for Security Test

Article Abstract:

The Transportation Security Administration is planning to check all airline passenger records from June of 2004 in order to test a new security system; the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Privacy Information Center object to certain aspects of the plan.

Strategy & planning, General services, Government domestic functions, Airports, flying fields, & services, Airport Operations, Airport Security Services, Planning, Political aspects, American Civil Liberties Union, Airport security, Company business planning, Civil rights, Logistics, Domestic policy, Electronic Privacy Information Center, United States. Transportation Security Administration

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