Transportation Safety


Inauguration Transportation Plan Calls for Road Closures, Restricted Zones

Public transportation to all inaugural events is encouraged as many streets in and around the Capitol and the Mall area and bridges into/out of the city will be closed to private automobiles for much of the day. Metrorail will operate rush-hour service for 17 consecutive hours on Jan. 20, from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will operate on a non-rush hour schedule for two extra hours until 2 a.m.

Program Seeks to Help Steer Vets Toward Safe Driving

With motor vehicle crashes being a leading cause of deaths among combat veterans during the first years after their return home, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense are working together to reduce these accidents.

Federal Agencies Issue Importer Practices Draft Guidance

A draft guidance was issued recently that is designed to provide guidance to importers on steps they can take to help ensure imported products are in compliance with applicable U.S. statutes and regulations. Titled "Good Importer Practices," the document was created through the combined efforts of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, and Transportation; the Consumer Product Safety Commission; the Environmental Protection Agency; and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

DOT Rule Requires Stronger Railroad Hazmat Tank Cars

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters said the final rule will reduce the risk of hazmat spills from train accidents.

CBP Offering Info Sessions about '10+2' Importer Security Filing Rule

The sessions are intended to give the importing and filing community a basic understanding of how to fulfill the new requirements of the Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule.

AAMVA Seeks Volunteer Technical Advisors

Five seats on a newly constituted advisory committee are open. Once filled, the group will serve as the advisory body to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Board of Directors for current and future technology services offered.

an older worker

Healthy Aging Conference Aims to Help Key Sectors

The Feb. 17-18 conference at the National Labor College will examine challenges of the nation's aging workforce and begin developing approaches to help workers maintain good health as they age. Construction workers and others who perform taxing physical labor are a special focus of the conference.

Trucking Survey Finds Injury Prevention Materials Effective

A survey evaluation of trucking injury prevention materials from the Trucking Injury Reduction Emphasis through Surveillance (TIRES) Project found that 83 percent of respondents have made changes after receiving TIRES prevention materials and 82 percent have requested additional safety topics to be addressed.



DHS Seeks Comment on New Private Sector Preparedness Program

Known as "PS-Prep," the program is intended to raise the level of employer preparedness by making DHS-adopted standards more widely available, among other measures.

DOL Finds American Airlines Retaliated Against Sick Pilot

The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered American Airlines Inc. to reimburse a pilot who was retaliated against for reporting that he was too sick to fly. American Airlines rejected medical documentation that the pilot provided in accordance with American's internal policy, and later deducted sick pay that had already been paid from the pilot's paycheck.

EPA Seeks 23 'Most Wanted' Fugitives for Environmental Crimes

The alleged violations include everything from the illegal transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste and other pollutants to conspiracy and mail fraud.

Rail Imminent Hazard Maximum Penalty Rising to $100,000

The Federal Railroad Administration filed a final rule to adjust its ordinary maximum and aggravated maximum penalties to amounts authorized by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

bus

FMCSA Offers Bus Passenger Safety Information for Inauguration

As Jan. 20 nears, people from around the world are preparing to travel to Washington, D.C., to witness the 56th Presidential Inauguration. Many will be making the journey by bus from around the country, and it is important that all visitors arrive and return home safely from the inaugural events.

Coast Guard Finally Sets Oil Vessels' Firefighting Response Times

The final rule will take effect Jan. 30. It ends a long period when the 24-hour response requirement was suspended and the industry was expected to develop salvage and firefighting capabilities on its own.

highway construction flagger

Flagging Hazards Away

Taking extra precautions during temporary traffic control helps workers and motorists alike. Since Nov. 24, 2008, all workers in rights of way of federal-aid highways who are exposed to traffic must wear high-vis apparel meeting ANSI/ISEA 107-2004.

Houston Study Rekindles Red Light Camera Debate

The city's mayor, Bill White, said the study reaffirmed the safety contribution of the cameras, which have contributed $20 million in fines to his city's coffers. But opponents said the Rice University study proved they offer no safety benefit.

no texting while driving sign

California's Motorist Texting Law Takes Effect Thursday

To limit their liability, employers in the state should broaden their cell phone policies to prohibit employees from texting while driving, a labor lawyer says. Will the law set the tone for the rest of the nation?

Study Examines Hazards of Vehicle Snow and Ice Accumulation

Snow and ice falling from motor vehicles create a variety of safety issues that can result in property damage or injury to other motorists.

Gift from EPA: Free Webcast on Oil Spill Prevention, Jan. 13

This four-hour event will cover major topics like SPCC plan basics, integrity testing, applicability, secondary containment, and recent rule revisions and will include a one-hour live question-and-answer session.

The holidays can make for perilous driving.

NSC Issues Christmas, New Year's Driving Fatality Estimates

The National Safety Council estimates there will be 432 motor-vehicle fatalities during the Christmas holiday period that began yesterday at 6 p.m. and extends until midnight, Dec. 28.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars