Traffic

Calendar Year 2009 Traffic Fatalities Continue Record Downward Trend

March 11, 2010 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that the number of overall traffic fatalities reported at the end of 2009 reached the lowest level since 1954, declining for the 15th consecutive quarter. According to early projections, the fatality rate, which takes into account the number of miles traveled, reached the lowest level ever recorded.

“This is exciting news, but there are still far too many people dying in traffic accidents,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Drivers need to keep their hands on the steering wheel and their focus on the road in order to stay safe.”    » read more »

New Data Show States with Best & Worst Improvement in Drunk Driving Fatality Rates

Dec. 7, 2009 -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, today kicked off the "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" national drunk and impaired driving crackdown involving thousands of law enforcement agencies during the holiday season.

In addition, Secretary LaHood announced new data showing states with the best – and worst – improvement over the last year in addressing drunk driving behavior.    » read more »

Says Future Traffic Snarls Will Devastate Residents and Local Businesses

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt today called for the formation of a task force to pull together all the various federal, state, local and regional government agencies to come up with a unified action plan to alleviate many of the traffic congestion problems associated with ongoing and future repairs to the Sagamore and Bourne bridges.    » read more »

Urges Congress to pass Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act

Jun. 23, 2009 Washington, D.C. -- Local teenagers, Montgomery County Police Captain Tom Didone and Members of Congress joined Allstate today to unveil its live display featuring nearly 5,000 key chains, which represent the alarming number of teens who die each year in teen-related car crashes.    » read more »

Bill To Reduce Congestion On Roads By Encouraging More Freight To Be Carried By Barges and Ships; Would Create 'Maritime Highway', Help States Improve Ports

June 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced a bill to reduce congestion on the nation’s roads by encouraging more freight to be carried by barges and ships. The legislation would create a grant program for ‘America’s Marine Highways’ to encourage shipping by sea or inland waterway and establish a new program to modernize port facilities to make freight movement more efficient.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Automakers today applauded the release of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s reauthorization proposal, "The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009." According to the blueprint released today, the bill will provide Highway Trust Fund money to states conditional upon whether they enact primary safety belt enforcement laws and mandate the use of ignition interlock devices for first-time drunk driving offenders.    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of the infrastructure components, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns, according to a study issued today by the RAND Corporation.

The U.S. freight transportation system moves about $40 billion worth of goods each day, with delays and uncertainty in the performance of the system translating into higher prices for consumers and reduced productivity, according to researchers.    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- Policymakers need to address equity concerns early when implementing congestion pricing to improve traffic flow, as each situation is unique and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, according to a study issued today by the RAND Corporation.

Transportation policymakers often look to congestion pricing — charging drivers more to travel particular routes at peak travel times — as a way to reduce traffic gridlock and raise money for transportation projects. However, because these policies impose a cost on something that previously was not priced, critics often suggest that it will harm lower-income drivers who will be forced to pay additional costs or be "priced off" the roads.    » read more »

Investments Ease Traffic Congestion, Enhance Safe Routes To School

May 28, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania will create green jobs, relieve traffic congestion and make it easier for students to walk and bike to school with the investment of $76 million in 80 transportation projects, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

“PennDOT’s investments will help us weather the current economic storm and make lasting community improvements for future generations,” Governor Rendell said. “These investments will stimulate the economy by putting people to work creating sustainable communities that will improve our quality of life and send a clear message that Pennsylvania is a great place to live and work.    » read more »

Requests $20 million to fix traffic hot-spots in Maryland to meet federal responsibility, take burden off local taxpayer

27 May, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) announced today she has requested $20 million in fiscal year 2010 federal funding to help Maryland communities manage growth related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s recommendations. The funding will greatly improve safety and access to military bases in Maryland and ease traffic congestion stemming from BRAC-related growth in the area.    » read more »

Sen. Bushweller and Rep. Bryon H. Short to sponsor legislation

May 7, 2009 -- DOVER -- Delaware Governor Jack A. Markell joined forces with Sen. Brian J. Bushweller and Rep. Bryon H. Short to announce legislation Thursday that would increase the State’s fines and penalties for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

DUI continues to be a significant threat to the motoring public’s safety and Governor Markell believes greater fines will serve as a deterrent to this dangerous behavior.    » read more »

Unique solution opens new horizons in personal mobility

2009-04-07 -- NEW YORK - General Motors Corp. and Segway today demonstrated a new type of vehicle that could change the way we move around in cities.

Dubbed Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered, two-seat prototype vehicle that has only two wheels. It could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly - and at a lower total cost. The vehicle also enables design creativity, fashion, fun and social networking.

GM and Segway announced their collaboration, while demonstrating the Project P.U.M.A. prototype in New York City this morning.    » read more »

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 11, 2008) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement today regarding the fatal accident on the Bay Bridge:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those involved in the accident that took place on the Bay Bridge early Sunday morning.

The unique nature of this incident and its aftermath have posed challenges for us all, but I want to commend the response of our State and local agencies and first responders for their quick and decisive action when they arrived on the scene. I also want to recognize the tremendous effort of the bridge inspection, engineering and maintenance crews that have worked diligently the past two days to make the necessary repairs and ensure the bridge is safe for travel.    » read more »

05/29/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the award of $66 million in traffic safety grants to 153 agencies and communities across the state, illustrating the Governor’s continued commitment to saving lives on California’s roadways.

Fatal motorcycle accident on an LA County highway: Photo by 7mary3 (CC)    » read more »

Calls for June 23rd special session to address transportation

May 12, 2008 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today released details of his transportation plan and called for a special session of the General Assembly to address transportation on June 23.

Virginia traffic: Photo by Steve Fernie (CC)

The Governor’s plan fills our growing road and bridge maintenance deficit to promote safety, provides relief for regional transportation needs, and invests in innovative approaches to Virginia’s transportation challenges. The plan raises over $1 billion annually by fiscal year 2012 and contains no gas tax increase.    » read more »