Road safety
Pedestrians or trespassers? Railroad fatalities skyrocket
New data released by the federal government tells an unfortunate story about railroad fatalities: Specifically, the number of pedestrians struck and killed by trains throughout the country has increased by 26 percent over the first five months of this year. Pedestrian railroad deaths climbed to 199 in that timeframe, a rise from 158 pedestrians killed […]
The quiet evolution of the one way sign
One way streets are valuable assets in any city – pedestrians need to know where the cars are coming from, and if everyone obeys the rules, there are fewer accidents. The overall history and evolution of signs is a fascinating subject (we think), and there is no sign more taken for granted than the one […]
A history of bicycle safety: re-inventing two wheels
The Growth of Bike Safety Initiatives While biking is fun and healthy, it’s important to remember bicycle safety rules. In 2011, there were 38,000 injuries from bicycle/vehicle crashes in the U.S. Even in a completely bike-only area, one could fall and sustain a head injury. This has prompted the promotion of bike helmets in many countries; it […]
History of the Yield Sign
Motorists slow down and look around cautiously when they see a yield sign. But they don’t wonder how that sign got there in the first place. The yield sign, an unsung hero, has actually been saving lives since 1950, when the first sign was placed at the corner of First Street and Columbia Avenue in […]
Motorcyclist fatality sheds light on dangers of moose crossings
A motorcyclist was killed, and his passenger left in critical condition, after hitting a moose crossing Alaska’s Glenn Highway last week. As unusual as the accident may sound to urban dwellers, vehicle accidents involving moose are relatively common in Alaska, which has a high population of both moose and motorcyclists. In fact, Alaska has more […]
In CA, bike lanes are on drivers’ wishlists
Surveys in San Francisco and Los Angeles suggest that both drivers and cyclists want separate space for bicycles. This separate space in the form of bike lanes not only protects cyclists from automobile traffic, but also makes drivers feel safe around bicycles. This insight could prove useful for city planners who are often blamed for […]
Driving fatigue causes one in five crashes
A recent study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) shows that 20% of car crashes result from drivers’ fatigue. The study also found that young drivers were more likely to crash if they drove while fatigued. The study is significant, as earlier estimates held that fatigue was responsible for just 2–3 percent of crashes. Charlie […]
Driving with pets doubles crash risk among elderly
A recent study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has found that senior citizens driving with their pets face a greater risk of possible vehicle collisions. As reported by NBC News, the crash rate for senior drivers with pets is twice as high as those who rode without pets. Professor Gerald McGwin, Ph.D., […]
Up to speed with Paul Steely White of Transportation Alternatives
New legislation that would install 20 speed cameras in New York City aims to prevent traffic tragedies – tragedies like the one that killed a young couple in Brooklyn earlier this month, when a driver going 60mph down a residential street collided with their cab.
Distracted driving upgrades for new cars
Zipping around in his flashy aerocar, George Jetson himself couldn’t have predicted today’s latest update in car innovation. Cars of the future are about to get a major safety upgrade.