Transportation Safety


Thirty Percent of Michigan Bridges Need Work

The Michigan Department of Transportation's updated information about the safety of 4,400 state highway bridges does not say they are dangerous, but 423 are classified as "structurally deficient" and 901 as "functionally obsolete."

Audit programs of airlines by the partner organizations obtain complementary safety information, according to IATA. This Boeing photo shows a 737.

Global Aviation Safety Info Exchange Under Development

Audit results are part of the data to be shared by the International Air Transport Association, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Commission of the European Union.

Nationwide Food Distributor Fined for Process Safety Management Problems

An inspection conducted under OSHA's Chemical Industry National Emphasis Program resulted in $153,000 in proposed penalties.

Rail Safety Grants Available

Railroads, suppliers, and state and local governments have until July 1 to apply for the grants to deploy interoperable positive train control systems.

ASSE offers work zone tips

ASSE Fact Sheet Highlights Work Zone Safety

ASSE’s "Road Construction Work Zone Safety Fact Sheet" provides work zone safety tips and standards for motorists and workers.

Distracted Driving Crackdown Underway in Northeast

“If a driver is caught with a cell phone in one hand, they'll end up with a ticket in the other,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “It's time for drivers to act responsibly, put their hands on the wheel and focus on the road.”

'Sticky Pedal' Debacle Could Cost Toyota Up to $16.375 Million

The penalty being sought against Toyota would be the largest civil penalty ever assessed against an auto manufacturer by NHTSA.

DOT Issues On-Board Recorder Rule for Certain Commercial Vehicles

The rule, which will go into effect on June 1, 2012, will require interstate commercial truck and bus companies with multiple hours-of-service violations to install electronic on-board recorders in all their vehicles.



Iowa Becomes 21st State to Ban Texting for All Drivers

NHTSA says distracted or inattentive driving has become a national epidemic, accounting for an estimated 6,000 deaths and half-a-million injuries in 2008. In 2009, more than 200 distracted driving bills were under consideration by state legislatures, and the pace is expected to increase this year.

white paper sums up dangers of distracted driving

Study: This is Your (Distracted) Brain While Using a Hands-Free Cell

While many people understand the increased crash risks caused by drivers texting while driving, the lack of understanding about the dangers of hands-free phones remains a challenge, says the council, which has produced a study explaining the limitations of the human brain as it pertains to multitasking.

ATA Applauds Proposed Commercial Driver Texting Ban

ATA supports states’ efforts to ban texting by automobile drivers and said it will continue to work with affiliated state trucking associations and stakeholder groups to make that happen.

ASSE Paves Way for Work Zone Safety Webinar

The free, one-hour event will focus in part on the new A10.47 standard, which covers flagger safety, run over/back over prevention, equipment operator safety, illumination, PPE, and more.

U.S. Airforce

Service Before Self

At approximately 10 a.m. on March 25, 2009, an F-22 crashed northeast of Edwards Air Force Base, killing David Cooley, 49, of Palmdale, Calif., a 21-year veteran test pilot. During the days of World Wars I and II, this may have been all too common an occurrence with test pilot deaths occurring weekly, but today, with advances in safety and technology, a test pilot's death happens on the average of once every two to three years.

Dual Investigations of Unintended Acceleration Launched

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced them Tuesday. One looks at the auto industry as a whole and will be done by the independent National Academy of Sciences. The second, by NASA engineers, will study the problem in Toyotas.

OSHA Finds Illinois Airport Tower Trafficking in Unsafe Conditions

Based on the violations found, total penalties assessed would amount to $125,000 if the employer was in the private sector, but under the law, federal agencies are cited without penalties.

The reflective red decals tell a law enforcement officer immediately that a Graduated Driver License holder is behind the wheel.

Teen Driving Rules Stiffening

The latest example is a reflective decal that will be required on the front and back license plates of New Jersey drivers who have a Graduated Driver License, as of May 1.

Seat Belt Champion Awards Presented to Three Florida Legislators

It is estimated that the move in Florida from a secondary to a primary seat belt law, enacted last summer, will save the state 940 lives, prevent almost 150,000 injuries, and reduce costs by $5.5 billion in the first five years alone.

FAA Proposes $1.45 Million Fine for Northwest Airlines

Northwest Airlines flew more than 90,000 passenger flights on multiple 757s that were not in compliance with an airworthiness directive.

IDOT Pays $100,000 for Violating Storm Water Rules

EPA said that by issuing complaints it is sending a message to construction site operators, public or private, that these regulations must be met.

Study: Commercial Drivers' Safety Belt Use Up Nearly 10 Percent

According to FMCSA, safety belt use was at 78 percent in states with primary safety belt laws, which allow law enforcement to stop drivers for not using a safety belt, versus 67 percent in states with weaker laws.

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