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Hot air balloons caught in high winds drag fullsize SUV

A sudden storm front whipped up enough wind to send some hot air balloons flying into the air in Wisconsin over the weekend. One ballon proved so energetic that it was able to drag a fullsize SUV across a field and into a stand of tents. The freak accident occurred at Balloonfest in Waterford, Wisconsin. Spectators were horrified as balloons dragged handlers to the ground and launched with terrified pilots clinging to their baskets. Organizers had started packing up the colorful balloons due to ominous storm clouds when the wind kicked up. "Happened just like that; it was crazy," Nathan Fricke, crew member, told Fox 6. Winds were clocked at 40 to 50 miles per hour. A balloon caught in the wind dragged a large SUV (we think a Suburban or Yukon XL) hundreds of feet and into a cluster of tents on the edge of the staging area where balloons were on display for festival goers. Considering that the SUV surely weighs well over 5,000 pounds, it's lucky that no one was injured in the incident. News Source: Fox6Now Weird Car News Chevrolet GM GMC SUV

New GMC feature reminds drivers to check for kids in hot cars

We see the stories every summer: Dozens of children die from heat stroke every year after being left inside hot cars. GMC has introduced a feature in the 2017 Acadia in an effort to help curb the problem. Simply called Rear Seat Reminder, it alerts the driver if the vehicle suspects someone might have been accidentally left behind. GMC's alert will trigger under certain circumstances. Five chimes will sound and a warning will display if the rear doors are opened and closed within 10 minutes of the vehicle starting or if those doors are opened while the vehicle is running. The system does not sense items or people in the rear seat like the front passenger seat would to trigger the airbag. Warnings will be displayed regardless of interior or exterior temperature; while the summer months are the deadliest, leave-behind deaths occasionally occur during cold weather. Drivers should be aware that temperatures in vehicles can quickly rise to dangerous levels, even if the ambient temperature seems cool and comfortable. View 23 Photos Unfortunately, a large percentage of children are intentionally left in cars. A negligent caretaker, whether it be a parent, grandparent, or babysitter, can leave a child behind while they go to work or run an errand, not expecting any problems. Some children unintentionally trap themselves in cars while playing in the cabin or trunk. The Acadia's system is unlikely to prevent these scenarios. While we believe that GMC should be commended for making an effort to put an end to these tragedies, we're not certain how effective the system might be until driver education improves. It's also possible drivers will come submit to warning fatigue and begin to ignore the messages. That said, if this software-based solution prevents just one death, it was worth the effort. Related Video: Image Credit: GMC GMC Safety Crossover gmc acadia

GM looks to combat high theft rates on SUVs with added tech

The Cadillac Escalade has been at or near the top of most-stolen and insurance-loss lists for more than seven years, until it dropped to number six earlier this year. In 2011 it was fitted with a host of new security features to address its easy-to-override features and that has brought the number of thefts down, but when eight of the ten most stolen rides are large SUVs from General Motors, no one will argue that something else needs to be done.
Thus, GM has fitted this same theft-deterring tech to the 2015 Suburban, Tahoe and Yukon. The Suburban and Tahoe will get the steering lock that the Escalade and Yukon already get, plus bolted-down third-row seats to deter thefts like this, stronger door lock cylinders and shields, and side-cut keys to inhibit picking.
Additional security measures in a Theft Protection Package can be purchased for $395, consisting of sensors on the greenhouse glass and interior, an incline/tilt sensor and added "key control systems" to make it more difficult for the men in black balaclavas to steal what you bought.