Enforcement
How to argue with a traffic engineer about speed limits
It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it’s actually a valid question: How do you argue effectively with a traffic engineer? For safety-conscious civilians, certain elements of traffic design are especially confusing. When infrastructure blog Strong Towns recently asked for reader submitted questions, an interesting question came from Adam of Miami, FL, who […]
Smoking marijuana’s legal in Colorado, but not while driving
On January 1, 2014, Colorado legalized marijuana. While many have welcomed the move, others fear that DUI accidents will rise. What is the state doing to ensure that doesn’t happen? For starters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given a $400,000 grant to Colorado. The state’s law enforcement officials plan to use the […]
Charting traffic fatalities: New York’s deadliest neighborhoods
A Pratt University statistics professor has used 2013 data on crashes and fatalities to map out New York City’s most traffic-dangerous neighborhoods. The heat map highlights challenges faced by the city’s new Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to reduce traffic fatalities to zero in a city especially troubled by traffic-related injury and death. According […]
Is your state one of the 11 most dangerous to drive in?
Eleven states dangerously lack basic safety regulations, according to a recently released report on highway safety. As the Washington Post notes, a new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety revealed that 11 states earned a red rating, indicating “poor protections.” On the other hand, ten states (plus D.C.) received a green rating, and the […]
New gadget gauges sidewalk compliance
A seemingly simple three-wheeled device — Wired calls it a “magic cart” — may make America’s sidewalks safer for the disabled. Created by Peter Axelson, who has used a wheelchair since 1975, the device is programmed with federal, state and local disability regulations. A worker runs the device, formally known as Prowap, or Public Rights-of-Way […]
Should you bother buying a personal breathalyzer?
Nearly all U.S. states have a standard .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in place for drivers. Driving drunk can have life-changing consequence, from injury and death to arrest and skyrocketing insurance premiums. For some drivers, a personal breath analyzer (often known by the brand name, Breathalyzer) may help increase safety on the road. As most […]
Ericsson proposes sweeping program to reduce traffic congestion in Miami
Swedish multinational Ericsson plans to use its data and communications experience to help curb traffic congestion in Miami, Florida. The telecom giant announced a proposal during its annual event, NEST 2013, held this year in Miami Beach. ICT to address traffic woes Through its “Intelligent Transport Initiative,” Ericsson plans to use its advanced network of information […]
Federal government to screen for truckers with sleep disorders
The federal government has been tightening regulations on commercial drivers for some time, and now they’re tackling the issue of drivers with sleep disorders. Under HR 3095, a bill which President Obama signed in the midst of the 2013 government shutdown, the Federal Motor Carrying Service Administration (FMCSA) must use a full rulemaking proceeding for a new […]
Congestion charge to counter pollution in Shanghai possible
In an attempt to reduce traffic volume and control soaring levels of air pollution, Shanghai officials may soon impose a congestion charge at peak hours. If this type of road pricing is levied, Shanghai would be the first city in China to implement such a move. Similar initiatives in London and Singapore have been successful (though […]
Red light cameras result in a drop in right-angle crashes in New Jersey
Recently released data now reveals that right-angle crashes are continuing to decline at New Jersey intersections where American Traffic Solutions’ red light safety cameras are installed, according to the Rutgers Plan4Safety crash database. Plus, there is more good news: Of those vehicles receiving a violation, almost nine out of ten have not received a second […]
