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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Volvo Just Fixed a Problem You Didn’t Know Seatbelts Had

Volvo, recognized for their uncompromising dedication to vehicle safety, has broken new ground with their new smart seatbelt design that adapts to whoever’s sitting in the seat. Volvo introduced the revolutionary three-point seatbelt that’s credited with saving over a million lives in 1959. They followed that up with their side impact protection system in 1991 and whiplash protection system in 1998, which protect vehicle occupants during a collision. All are now standard features on all cars and trucks.

The Swedish carmaker’s new 2026 Volvo EX60 Crossover will come with a smart seatbelt system that customizes protection for the driver and each individual passenger compartment occupant. Follow along as a Volvo expert describes how this new amazing new seatbelt system functions.

How Is Volvo’s Smart Seatbelt Different?

Conventional seatbelts apply the same amount of force to all occupants to protect vehicle occupants during a crash. According to Francois Meucci, Service Manager at Faulkner Volvo, “the new innovative smart seatbelt system uses numerous sensors to evaluate passenger and driver height, weight, body shape, and seating posture.” Meucci adds, “Sensors also measure crash severity in real time to increase passenger and driver protection.”

The smart seatbelt system will incorporate 11 different passenger profiles for better customization. Volvo’s adaptive seatbelt technology also uses machine learning and real-time sensor data to enhance the system. For example, it increases seatbelt tension pressure for larger passengers to lower the risk of head injuries. Seatbelt tension for smaller occupants will be significantly less to protect against fractured ribs. The new seatbelt system will download software updates to improve and refine overall performance and keep the system up-to-date.

What Can Volvo’s Smart Seatbelt Detect?

In addition to its own dedicated driver monitoring and occupant detection sensors, “smart seatbelts are linked to the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS),” says Meucci. This provides better crash detection and triggers safety measures through a vehicle-coordinated systemwide response.

In real time, using ADAS GPS data, cameras, radar, ultrasonic, impact, laser, deceleration and crash sensors help the smart seatbelt system identify a potential crash and then will individually adjust for each passenger airbag deployment and seatbelt pretensioners and tensioners based on crash severity—if there is a collision. Other sensors include:

  • Pressure sensors: Detect rapid changes in the passenger compartment air pressure, usually meaning the doors have popped opened in a side crash.
  • Accelerometer sensors: Measure sudden acceleration caused by a front or rear collision.
  • Acoustic sensors: Detect the sound waves created during an impact.

How Does the Smart Belt Keep Drivers Safer?

Volvo’s smart belt system is an active system that uses real-time interior and exterior sensor data to customize crash protection for each occupant in the vehicle in case of a collision. In addition to occupant sensors, “crash sensors can determine impact direction, speed, and severity to make custom adjustments to the seatbelt tension, and airbag deployment during a collision,” says Meucci. Airbag deployment takes place 20–50 milliseconds after a crash has been detected. The smart seatbelt system instantly adjusts and produces just the correct amount of restraint for each occupant before the airbag completely inflates. Reacting faster than humans prevents injuries and deaths. Meucci adds, “ADAS helps reduce the number of accidents while smart seatbelt technology enhances safety systems.”

FAQ

Will Volvo share the patent for their new smart belt?

It’s unclear if Volvo will share the patent for its new smart belt. In 1959, Volvo freely shared the patent on its pioneering new three-point seatbelt—acknowledged as an act of corporate responsibility—which has been credited with saving over one million lives. However, smart seatbelt technology is a partnership between Volvo and ZF Lifetec. With the patent owned by both companies, as of this writing, neither has committed to an open patent.

Experts

Francois Meucci has spent over 40 years working in every sector of the automotive repair industry. He is a Volvo certified body and automotive repair technician and currently is the Service Manager at Faulkner Volvo Cars, located in Trevose, PA. (Phone interview June 16, 2025)

Resources

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Never Toss Old License Plates in the Trash — Here’s Why

Whether your license plate recently expired, you’re selling a car, or perhaps need to cancel your car’s license and registration, these are all instances where you might be wondering how to dispose of license plates. People don’t often throw license plates away, but there are occasions when it might happen, so you want to make sure it’s done properly so you’re kept safe in the process.

Ahead, we spoke with car experts about how to dispose of license plates the right way and what you can do to prevent someone else from using your license plate and perhaps racking up tickets or conducting fraudulent activities with your name attached to them.

Can You Throw License Plates Out in the Trash?

According to Amelia Dalgaard, QBIC at Motorhead Mama, you can generally throw license plates out in the trash, but it is not advised.

“Putting your plates in the trash can expose you to security issues,” Dalgaard tells Family Handyman. “For example, if the plates were to fall into the wrong hands, they could be used either for identity theft or specifically on another vehicle for illegal activities, which could be traced back to you.”

Ben Michael, an attorney at Michael & Associates, adds that a person with a stolen car can use your old license plate they found in the trash, and then their actions can trace back to you, like if they run a red light, and nobody wants to deal with that.

Should I Throw My License Plates in the Trash?

Although you are technically allowed to throw your plates in the trash, as mentioned above, you should not do it because it may lead to stolen plates. “Most states offer recycling options directly at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV),” says Dalgaard. “Given that modern license plates are made of aluminum, a highly recyclable material, this is a great option.”

If you don’t feel comfortable disposing of your license plate, then one idea is to save it for DIY crafts. “There are plenty of fun, crafty projects where you can reuse your plates,” says Dalgaard. “Think garage decorations or driveway ornaments — look at Pinterest, car magazines, or do an internet search for inspiration.”

How To Properly Dispose of License Plates

Some states have certain protocols that should be followed to help ensure your information stays safe when learning how to dispose of license plates. You’ll want to check with your local governing board for guidance on what is recommended.

For example, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, you aren’t supposed to return your old plate unless you’re required to. One of the events you are required to do is if you want to end your vehicle’s liability insurance coverage or want to register your vehicle in another state.

With your old plates, they recommend marking each plate with a permanent marker and cutting them into pieces and putting them into the recycling bin a little bit each week to prevent the information from being able to be put together.

“One of the best things you can do to get rid of your plates properly is surrender them to the Department Of Labor. They will invalidate them and dispose of them (correctly) for you,” Michael says.

About The Experts

Sources

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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

What Is Waymo? Everything To Know About Google’s Autonomous Cars

If you’ve been following news coverage of recent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, you may have heard about protestors burning Waymo vehicles. But unless you frequent the select few cities where they’ve been rolled out so far, you’re likely unfamiliar with the company. Here’s a rundown of what exactly those vehicles are, and why controversy surrounds them.

What Is a Waymo?

Waymo is the rebrand of Google’s self-driving car project. The company bills its cars and its self-driving software as “The World’s Most Experienced Driver.” According to their website, they stand head and shoulders above other “self-driving” companies because these other companies only offer “driver assist technology which still requires a human driver behind the wheel,” as its competitors still require a human being behind the wheel “paying full attention and ready to take over whenever the car encounters a situation it can’t handle.”

Waymo, on the other hand, equips its vehicles with autonomous technology that is always in control from pickup to destination. The company brags that their “passengers don’t even need to know how to drive. They can sit in the back seat, relax, and enjoy the ride with the Waymo Driver getting them to their destination safely.”

Waymo is being rolled out across the country as a rideshare option. As they become more widespread, the company wants to compete with the likes of Uber and Lyft.

Why Is Waymo Controversial?

When you order a Waymo, a driverless vehicle greets you. You aren’t supposed to touch the steering wheel at all. Instead, you just sit back and let the software piloting the car do all the work that a chauffeur, taxi driver, or Uber or Lyft driver would ordinarily do. Unsurprisingly, many people dislike this new technology, and there are several key concerns surrounding it.

Safety concerns

One of the primary concerns surrounding self-driving cars is safety. There have been many reports of Waymo crashes already. In fact, according to CNN, Waymo had to recall nearly 700 of its vehicles just last year to upgrade its software so that they wouldn’t crash into telephone poles. The accident that sparked this particular recall happened despite the vehicle’s plethora of cameras and sensors.

Privacy concerns

Another safety concern is the cameras and sensors the car is equipped with. NBC reports that there has been backlash surrounding “Waymo’s collection of street data through its cameras and sensors.” In response to calls from California lawmakers asking for more data from the company—ostensibly to evaluate its safety—the company said “it reports more on-road data than most other vehicles operating today.”

Pushing out taxis and Ubers

There are also widespread concerns that Waymo will do to Uber and Lyft what those companies did to the taxi industry: push them out. In a deep dive into the effects of rideshare companies on the taxi industry, the LAist cited Yellow Cab’s 2016 bankruptcy in San Francisco, saying, “Yellow Cab had around 500 medallions, which the city sold for $250,000 apiece. The company ended up selling for around $810,000, a little more than the sticker price for just three medallions.”

If this trend repeats itself with driverless vehicles, many fear a wave of job losses and the impact that would have. Taking human drivers out of the equation entirely means eliminating jobs, jobs that are already precariously underpaid in many cases.

Sources

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Will It Rain? How to Interpret Percentage Chance of Rain Correctly

Once I was so determined to get the outside of my house painted that I persisted, even though the weather forecast called for a 50% chance of rain. I thought I could beat the odds, but when the drops started falling, they created water marks in the paint which ended up being a decade-long reminder of my follies.

Even without foolish stubbornness, interpreting the chance of rain can be confusing, and there’s no way to predict 100% what will happen precisely at your home. But there are ways to plan wisely around a forecast.

For example, “In the summer, mornings and early afternoon may be a better window for being outdoors, since heat and humidity of the afternoons can raise the chance of rain,” says Sarah Dillingham, a meteorologist with The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Here’s what to know abut the percentage chance of rain, and how to plan projects around it.

What Does Percentage Chance of Rain Really Mean?

The percentage chance of rain predicts how likely it is that precipitation will fall in your area during a specific time period. For example, if there is a 40% chance of rain in your forecast for Tuesday afternoon, that means there’s a four out of 10 chance that you’ll get at least 0.01″ of rain during that time.

Chances of rain encompass a forecast area, such as a city or county. So a 40% chance of rain means 40% of your forecast area might see precipitation, while the other 60% remains dry.

“Those pop-up storms we see in Florida and other parts of the South in summer are a good case for explaining what a chance of rain means,” says Chris Dolce, a meteorologist for The Weather Channel app. “One location in a county can pick up an inch of rain on a day with a 40% chance of rain, while other parts of the same county might see nothing at all.”

Misconceptions About Percentage Chance of Rain

One of the most common misconceptions about the chance of rain forecast is that it will be raining that percentage of time in an area. The percentage chance of rain also does not tell anything about its duration or intensity, says Dolce.

“You could have a 100% chance of rain in your forecast, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be all day, as it could only last for an hour or two,” he says. “A 100% chance of rain also doesn’t mean there will be a drenching downpour, as it could just be light rain for a period of time.”

How to Plan Projects Around Percentage Chance of Rain

If you’re considering an outside project, like painting the house, pouring concrete or other activities that could be ruined by rain, check the forecast before your start, and then check the forecast and radar frequently throughout the day on a weather app like The Weather Channel (available on iOS, Google Play and others). Especially use caution if you see the chances increasing during the day.

“If the chance of rain is around 30% or 40%, it might not lend itself to canceling, since odds are in your favor,” says Dolce. “When the chance of rain is 50% or higher, that’s when it’s time to pause and think if your project might get ruined.”

Remember that during the summer months, daily thunderstorm activity can make it especially tricky to plan outdoor activities. That’s partly due to hot, humid patterns that lend themselves to pop-up thunderstorms.

Finally, if you do decide to chance it, create a backup plan for rain, such as having a tarp ready to cover your project, and always have a safe place to shelter in the event of a thunderstorm. It also helps to install a weather app on your smartphone, which alerts you to weather on the way.

About the Experts

  • Chris Dolce is an editorial meteorologist for The Weather Channel app. He has over a decade of experience in providing weather updates and meteorological consultation.
  • Sarah Dillingham is the senior director for product design and a meteorologist at The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. She has also worked as a weather producer for The Weather Channel and CNN.

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Student Driver Stickers—Do They Really Do Anything?

We’ve all been behind the wheel at one point and have seen a car in front of us covered in student driver stickers. Perhaps it was a driving school car or a Honda Civic with a sticker next to the tail light in bold layers saying “Student driver inside.”

You might wonder, how exactly does a student driver sticker work, and does it have any real-world implications? We spoke with Lucas Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi, a leading driving education platform, to get the lowdown on student driver stickers and what you need to know.

What Is a Student Driver Sticker?

A student driver sticker is exactly what it sounds like — a tiny sticker that usually goes by the tail lights to let other people know the driver inside is still getting acquainted with drive and learning the rules of the road. “It’s meant to promote patience and understanding from other road users,” says Waldenvack. “While some see value in it, we don’t consider it a crucial part of the learning process. Drivers are still responsible for their actions, and it’s better to focus on building real-world skills rather than relying on a sticker to ‘warn’ others.”

Are Student Driver Stickers Required?

Well, this really depends, but in general student driver stickers aren’t required by law in most states (unlike learners permits, which are). In fact, according to Freeway Insurance, only in New Jersey are people with learner’s permits required to put identification stickers on their vehicles to let other drivers know they don’t have their official driver’s license yet.

“Anyone who is in the process of learning to drive can use one,” says Waldenvack. “However, I personally think it’s not necessary. If you’re getting proper driving lessons and practicing under supervision, your skills and awareness on the road will do a lot more to ensure safety than a sticker ever could.”

Do Student Driver Stickers Have Any Legal Impact?

No, student driver stickers don’t have any legal impact. “While it might encourage others to drive more cautiously, it doesn’t change the fact that learner drivers are still subject to the same road rules as any other driver,” says Waldenvack.

In other words, if a new driver breaks the rules of the road, they will be subjected to the same legal repercussions as any other driver (though a police officer may be inclined to let you off with a warning if the driving violation isn’t too serious).

Do Student Driver Stickers Have Any Insurance Implications?

According to Waldenvack, student driver stickers don’t directly affect your insurance rates. “What matters to insurers is how you drive and whether you follow the learner driver requirements (like having a licensed adult with you),” he says. “A sticker doesn’t change the fundamentals of how your insurance is structured.”

Do Student Driver Stickers Even Work?

Waldenvack says he has had some of his driving students tell him anecdotally that they feel more comfortable driving with a student driver sticker when they are starting out, but not all of them. In some instances, some feel that they are being subjected to more scrutiny, which makes them even more nervous.

“We believe it’s much more important to focus on proper driver education and getting experience in varied road conditions, rather than relying on a sticker to manage expectations,” he explains.

In terms of responses from other drivers on the road, some might be more inclined to take a breath and give the newbie some grace when parallel parking. On the other hand, some may get more frustrated or perhaps not even bat an eye at the sticker — the response is completely subject to change and there’s really no “right” answer.

About the Expert

  • Lucas Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi, a leading driving education platform.

Sources

  • Freeway Insurance: Do Student Driver Stickers Work?
  • Denver 7: Driving You Crazy: What protections do drivers have when they have a student driver sticker on their vehicle?

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Monday, June 23, 2025

Boric Acid for Bugs: Is it Safe to Use in Your Home?

Boric acid is a mineral found widely in nature, from seawater to soil. But when we talk about boric acid for bugs, we’re referring to a chemical compound mined and refined from boron-rich deposits near volcanic areas and arid lake beds. Though used as an herbicide, the mineral form occurs naturally in many plants and almost all fruit.

Humans use boric acid in applications, from manufacturing fiberglass to preserving wood.

In this article, we’ll explore how boric acid works against pests, how to use it safely and much more with inputs from two board-certified entomologists, Wyatt West and Dr. Nancy Troyano, along with Bernie Holst III, CEO at Horizon Pest Control in Midland Park, New Jersey.

What Is Boric Acid?

Boric acid is a chemical compound created with the element boron. It’s most commonly used as an insecticide, herbicide, fungicide, antiseptic and flame retardant. It’s sometimes called orthoboric acid, hydrogen borate or boracic acid.

As an insecticide, it’s mostly used to kill cockroaches, ants, silverfish, termites and fleas. As an herbicide, it’s best on molds, fungi and some kinds of weeds.

How Boric Acid Works Against Common Household Pests

When insects come into contact with boric acid, it sticks to them. When they clean themselves, they ingest it. Then it disrupts their stomach function and affects their nervous system. Because boric acid needs time to build up in their bodies, it can take a few days or more to start working.

Boric acid will kill any arthropod (insect, spider, tick, mite, millipede) that ingests it. But only arthropods that groom themselves are likely to ingest it, so it’s unlikely to work on spiders, centipedes and ticks. Boric acid can also be used to scratch insects’ exoskeletons, which impedes their ability to retain water. If this is the goal, says West, there are more effective solutions.

Boric acid products come in many forms, including powder, gel and tablet. “Typically, you will see boric acid used in insect baits,” adds West.

Using Boric Acid Safely at Home: Best Practices

First, decide whether you want to use gel, powder, tablet or trap. This will depend on the type of insect, plus the location and environment where you’re applying it.

It is extremely important to read and follow the directions carefully. Boric acid is poisonous and potentially harmful to people and pets. “Mixing more doesn’t mean it’s more effective,” says Holst.
For your greatest chance of success, the keys are:

  • Proper placement. Observe where your pests are traveling. With ants, this might be along corners and floorboards. For cockroaches, it might be under the sink.
  • Thoroughly clean the areas that are attracting bugs. This will help prevent a recurrence.

If you’re using boric acid powder:

  • Handle it carefully. Wear goggles, a mask, gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to ensure you don’t inhale or touch it.
  • Sprinkle it along paths where insects travel to maximize effectiveness.
  • Vacuum the area within 24 to 48 hours to remove any residue.
  • Do not allow kids or pets to enter the treated area until it’s completely cleaned up.

“Use common sense,” says Holst. “Don’t apply products outside before it rains. And you would not want to spray a product or use a granular product near a body of water, because of drift issues and or rain water carrying the granular product into the water.”

Is Boric Acid Safe For Pets and Kids? Risks and Safety Tips

Yes and no. When properly used, boric acid for bugs can be a safe pest control solution , but it should never be inhaled or ingested.

“In terms of pesticides, boric acid is going to be one of the ‘safest’ around,” says West. “We have to remember that at the end of the day, all pesticides are poisons, but when used correctly, they carry minimal risk. Always follow the label! Don’t take unnecessary risks.”

To minimize risk:

  • Always follow the instructions for proper mixing, application, storage, and disposal when using boric acid at home.
  • Remember that pets and children are closer to the floor and may be more likely to come into contact with boric acid for bugs residues on carpets or surfaces.

Note: If you are exposed to it, follow instructions on the label and contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for more advice.

Other safety considerations:

  • Do not use boric acid near pet dishes or on food-prep surfaces.
  • Don’t leave it where kids or pets can get to it.
  • Don’t use boric acid on decorative surfaces. It can create stains or cause discoloration.

Is Boric Acid Environmentally Friendly?

Mostly. “Boric acid naturally occurs in the environment in soil, water and plants, so in that regard, it is a ‘green’ product,” says Holst. “However, in certain formulations and quantities, it can potentially kill plants.”

While plants naturally use small amounts of boric acid, even slightly elevated levels in the soil can be toxic to them. So any addition of boric acid to your plants or soil will most likely tip the balance from nutrient to herbicide.

It’s also worth noting that boric acid is not known to emit harmful vapors into the atmosphere. It’s believed to be minimally toxic to most birds, fish and amphibians.

“That is unusual when talking about pesticides,” says West. “However, I would not make a habit of going around haphazardly using any compounds containing any derivative of boron. Too much of anything is never good for the environment.”

Alternatives to Boric Acid for Pest Control

If you’re looking for pesticide alternatives, there are plenty of eco-friendly options. Diatomaceous earth, neem oil, essential oils like peppermint, thyme, and rosemary, and homemade insecticidal soaps are all natural ways to get rid of pests. It also helps to keep your garden healthy since stronger plants make chemicals that keep pests away.

Other safe ways to keep bugs away are to burn firewood, spray vinegar on ant paths or pour boiling water on ant mounds.

FAQ

Is boric acid the same as borate?

Like boric acid, borax is also a form of boron, though it’s generally not used as an insecticide.

“They are two entirely different chemical compounds,” says West. “Borax is generally less effective than boric acid as an insecticide. If you are going to purchase either of them, boric acid would be the way to go.”

Borax is most commonly used in laundry detergent, hand soap, cosmetics and fertilizer.

Can I DIY a boric acid pest control formula?

Yes, but why bother? To use boric acid at home, you need to mix it with something that will attract pests. That’s why some people mix it with powdered sugar or other foods.

West says, “I would recommend buying a premade bait instead of going through the trouble of making your own.” “I’m not sure you’d save much time or money by making your own.”

Also, mixing it wrong can be counterproductive. “Mixing at the wrong ratio for the species of pest present can treat one aspect of the problem, but never truly eliminate the issue,” says Dr. Nancy Troyano, a board-certified entomologist.

Premade boric acid for bug baits are safe and easy to use. They come in the right amounts, so you don’t have to worry about mixing them up

Is boric acid safe to use around the house?

Yes, but only in small amounts. ABC Termite & Pest Control says that boric acid is safer than many chemical pesticides that work quickly because it doesn’t kill anything right away.

About the Experts:

  • Wyatt West is a University of Georgia alumnus who began his career as a Branch Manager at Active Pest Control. He currently serves as a Training Manager at Arrow Exterminators, where he brings both field and instructional expertise to the role.
  • Bernie Holst has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the University of Rhode Island. He currently leads Horizon Pest Control as its Chief Executive Officer, bringing strategic financial insight and leadership to the company.
  • Dr. Nancy Troyano, a Board-Certified Entomologist, brings over 20 years of experience in medical, veterinary, and urban entomology. She specializes in Technical Education and Training and currently serves in that capacity for American Pest Operations at Rentokil.

Sources:

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Volvo Just Fixed a Problem You Didn’t Know Seatbelts Had

Volvo, recognized for their uncompromising dedication to vehicle safety, has broken new ground with their new smart seatbelt design that ada...