News

This year, new technologies will enable more drivers to take their hands off the wheel while on the road. But that doesn't mean their cars will be fully self-driving -- that day still remains far in the future.

A growing number of motor carriers are taking advantage of remote diagnostics to streamline vehicle maintenance and reduce downtime, but fleets must know how to filter through the data to use this information effectively.

The bottom line is that an autonomous vehicle designed to carry people and drive itself has to protect those people just like every other vehicle.

A primary offense refers to any crime or violation that allows police to pull over a driver for that reason alone. A secondary offense is one where a motorist can be charged after being stopped for the primary offense.

Trucking companies are eager to invest in technologies that will improve truck safety, helping them avoid crashes and multi-million-dollar decisions against them in lawsuits.

The global pandemic has transformed our way of thinking about travel and made us more aware. More aware of the value of sustainable and noice-reducing transportation modes.

Advanced driver assistance features have the potential to improve safety for young, novice drivers, but parents have mixed opinions about how to introduce such technologies to their teenagers, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows.

The National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) and The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) are looking for innovative methods with which resource officers teach teens about safe driving.

Balanced on two wheels without a protective shell, riding a motorbike is far more dangerous than driving a car. In the United States, for example, motorcyclists are about 28 times as likely as car occupants to die in a crash.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a variety of tips for keeping your little ones safe and warm while traveling by car.

It’s not the starting that is important, but what you do next that matters. If you start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes, the heat won't evenly disperse through the entire vehicle.

Many of us take road safety for granted, but with so many crashes happening on global roads every year, it is vital that we take it seriously.

Construction zones mean reduced speeds, lane changes and potential stops. Unsafe drivers view construction zones as nuisances best dealt with by getting ahead of that truck you are driving.

Automakers are expanding screen size in large part because customers want to mirror their consumer electronics experience in the vehicle, said Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at research firm IHS Markit.

Roadways can be dangerous, both for drivers and for pedestrians. In the United States alone, 38,800 people lost their lives to car crashes in 2019. And it’s estimated that worldwide, more than 1.35 million people are killed on roadways every year.

A new draft of voluntary cybersecurity best practices released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration focused on secure software use has the support of industry and is expected to be widely adopted.

The rule amends several crashworthiness regulations to clarify safety standards for automated vehicles equipped without manual driver controls.

U.S. traffic deaths jumped dramatically after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020, rising 13.1% in the three months ending Sept. 30 to the highest rate since 2005 despite a decline in driving.

The same lessons we learned in driver’s ed all those years ago also apply to the safe operation of a truck. Stay away from trouble, and alert authorities to potentially drunk, drugged or incapacitated drivers.

A new mandated law in Virginia forbids people from driving while holding a handheld device such as a phone in their hand. Local leaders in the commonwealth believe this will help eliminate deadly crashes.

More than 35,000 people a year are killed, and some three million are injured, in vehicle-related crashes in the United States each year. Fortunately, there are a lot of people and organizations that work all year, every year to try to bring those numbers down, and we all want that.

Grants allow law enforcement agencies, non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, and colleges and universities to implement innovative programs and campaigns aimed at preventing and reducing traffic fatalities, injuries, and crashes in Virginia.

To control full vehicle dynamics, which is necessary for advanced driver assistance systems as well for automated driving, there are two actuators in the vehicle, which are important: Braking and steering.

As of Jan. 1, it is illegal to hold a phone while driving in Virginia. That means no fiddling with your hand-held device as you barrel down the interstate or navigate your neighborhood.

The Federal Highway Administration recently awarded $49.6 million to support projects that incorporate transportation-related technologies, including an effort to develop autonomous truck accommodations at the Port of Virginia.

Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in a car crash than any other age group. The lack of driving experience and the immature behaviors of teen drivers are the main reasons why teen drivers are involved in more crashes.

As we approach the advent of self-driving cars, some various nuances and qualms still need to be worked out, including the seemingly innocuous matter of chickens crossing the road, along with other facets of anything or anyone that perchance crosses the road while in front of an oncoming self-driving car.

First offense, $125. Second, $250. Experts don’t mince words in terms of the pernicious epidemic of cell phone usage by drivers: a device meant to make our lives easier is unnecessarily claiming countless lives.

Several pedestrian crashes were caused by negligent adult drivers, pedestrian distraction while walking, drunk driving, unsafe drop-offs, poorly designated crosswalks, and malfunctioning traffic lights.

Backing up a car is often a safe process, but it could certainly be safer. And it is, when a vehicle is equipped with rear automated emergency braking (AEB) technology.

It is important for everyone to be cognizant of the safety risk of driving while holding something in their hand and being distracted.

AAA Mid-Atlantic is advising drivers to be cautious on roads this winter, as weather and the COVID-19 pandemic can combine to make more dangerous conditions for travelers and rescue crews.

Hydrogen to power commercial vehicles is a hot topic these days. There seems to be something in the news about it every day. And hydrogen just so happens to be the fuel of choice for fuel cells to power vehicles.

Do not begin your year with injury, death, or heartache due to the avoidable mistake of drinking and driving this holiday. It is not worth it. Remember to think of others on the road, think of your family, and think of yourself.

The rate in which people died on the road is higher. If you drove this year, you had an increased chance of a fatal crash. On top of that, add the additional danger of contracting COVID due to contact with medical professionals.

ADAS sensors and cameras on the car detect nearby obstacles and hazards, automatically enabling the car to respond to anything dangerous.

Even the most experienced drivers can encounter challenges when driving on slick roads caused by ice and snow or dealing with the impact of colder temperatures during the winter months.

While it is good for society to be involved in healthy lifestyle or activities, we need to be alert and aware of our surroundings to ensure safety for all.

The sensors of a self-driving car are collecting voluminous data about the world surrounding the vehicle. This includes data from the on-board video cameras, radar, ultrasonic units, and the like.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions account for roughly 23% of all motor vehicle crashes, and causing 2,000 deaths and 950,000 injuries annually.

The assumed simplicity of tire service and basic vehicle maintenance continues to result in an alarming number of fatalities for fleets.

In 2020, troopers said the state has seen a spike in deadly speed-related crashes, according to data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office.

Using telematics as a driver coaching tool can improve driver performance, boosting fleet fuel economy and reducing idling. It can also improve safety.

Safety-wise, there’s a lot riding on your tires. But many car owners don’t routinely inspect the rubber they are riding on or know what to look for.

The magazine Outside tracked every death of a bicyclist in a collision with a car so far in 2020 and found that despite COVID-19 dropping traffic rates and road miles traveled in the U.S., death rates for cyclists remain high.

As you might imagine, your car wasn’t designed to vibrate when it moves, and a newly-developing vibration isn’t something to ignore. It can cause damage to other parts of your car and may even pose a safety issue as you're driving down the road.

Despite driving less this year and possibly into the winter due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, drivers must still anticipate weather and its related safety impacts.

Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. is a founding partner of DSV, which is urging motorists to plan for a safe ride home if there is even a possibility of consuming alcohol.

There were 36,096 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019. This represents a decrease of 739 (down 2%) from the reported 36,835 fatalities in 2018, even though vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased by 0.8%.

As part of the campaign, 741 saturation patrols targeting impaired drivers will be conducted by state and local law enforcement

International Roadcheck is an annual 72-hour inspection and enforcement initiative conducted by CVSA-certified inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. This year’s International Roadcheck took place Sept. 9-11.

It doesn't matter if you wear jeans and boots. It doesn't matter what you do for a job. This can happen to anybody. All it takes is one poor decision.

Today’s active steering and braking systems lay the foundation for more advanced vehicle technologies in the future.

Keep your phone out of reach: put it in the glovebox, backseat or trunk. If you need to check it during your trip, pull over somewhere safe first.

Car seats are designed to be snug—that’s how they protect your little ones in an crash. But by adding a bulky winter coat to the mix, you’re creating some wiggle room that would be dangerous in an crash.

Impaired driving is 100% preventable, and law enforcement officers will be stopping impaired drivers to protect everyone on the road,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), every year more than 450,000 vehicles are sold with false odometer readings.

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that traffic deaths are three times greater at night compared to the day.

Teens living in states that ban cell phone use while driving may be less likely to use their electronic devices when behind the wheel, according to a study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

After dinging automakers for subpar headlights for years, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that automakers are making their cars safer by equipping them with better headlights.

Remote diagnostics provides fleets with actionable intelligence on vehicle system status even before the vehicle pulls into a service station.

Traffic control is a much studied subject, and as new technologies evolve and vehicles become smarter, intelligent adaptive control systems are likely to become the norm.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced the launch of the Beautify Virginia program as a part of its Environmental Stewardship Initiative to support keeping Virginia’s roadways litter free.

The new law states that it is unlawful for any person, while driving a moving motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth, to hold a handheld personal communications device.

During the Click it or Ticket campaign, VSP participated in Operation C.A.R.E. - Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort. VSP reported 498 drivers were cited for failing to buckle themselves or juveniles.

Many of us, at some point, have probably felt sleepy while behind the wheel. While it’s inevitable that this can happen, the choices we make once we realize we’re drowsy can make the difference between getting into a crash and arriving safely at our destination.

The Virginia Department of Transportation recently completed a pedestrian accommodations project to enhance safety and accessibility at the intersection of East Parham Road and Brook Road in Henrico County.

The Central Virginia Planning District Commission (CVPDC) in partnership with Campbell County and the Virginia Department of Transportation, is seeking citizen input to identify potential improvements to the Route 24 corridor.

Car thieves don’t take holidays off. Nearly 23,000 vehicles were stolen on 11 U.S. holidays last year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Some of us keep absolutely nothing in our cars’ trunks, while others have enough packed in there that they could live in their car for weeks. Somewhere in between is this list of 30 things we think every car owner should always have on hand.

Excessive speed played a role in four of the eight crashes that led to the deaths of six, including a teen and a 6-year-old boy, neither of whom were wearing appropriate safety restraints.

As winter reaches more parts of the country, it’s time to pay more attention than usual to keeping trucks and drivers safe out on the roads.

When considering highway quality, safety and cost efficiency, a Reason Foundation report found Virginia had the 21st-best highway system in the U.S.

Manufacturers, suppliers and automated vehicle developers will need to piece together a complex combination of software, sensors and new components to safely introduce fully self-driving trucks on the nation’s highways.

A new study of COVID-era car crashes finds that a shocking 27 percent of all drivers were using their cell phones within 60 seconds of impact.

A new Virginia law banning the use of cellphones while driving goes into effect Jan. 1, 2021, and Drive Smart Virginia is reminding motorists of the consequences of distracted driving.

Given the far-reaching and potentially disruptive effects the autonomous movement of goods will have on the trucking industry, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency has begun exploring the subject of autonomous trucking.

As the Tri-Cities sees its first snowfall of the season, the Virginia Department of Transportation and county emergency management agencies all say they already have an inclement weather plan in place.

The Virginia State Police and Mothers Against Drunk Driving have a simple message this holiday season: if you pick up a drink, put down the car keys.

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued what it is calling a “first-of-its-kind” Pedestrian Safety Action Plan on November 23 – a plan that will be overseen by the Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Virginia Smart Roads facility now features a rural test track, enabling the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) and its partners to begin a new phase of advanced vehicle testing.

Local officials see the project as a way to address traffic and safety issues, spur some economic growth and stave off population loss.

AAA and the Richmond Ambulance Authority are reminding parents to check their children’s car seats before hitting the road this holiday season.

“This project is our call to arms regarding an underappreciated aspect of road safety. After all, drivers cannot react to what they cannot see or sense,” TSR President David Braunstein said.

As a reminder, motorists must follow the “move over” law when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped alongside the road. If unable to move over, drivers must cautiously pass the emergency vehicle, including those with amber lights.

Despite fewer estimated vehicle miles traveled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is seeing an increase in unbelted fatalities on the commonwealth’s roadways.

MADD was the first organization to give a voice to the pain the word "accident" was causing, says Mark Rosekind, the former administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Rebekah Cazares, a Wilder Fellow with PlanRVA, the region's district planning commission, is conducting a study of how the built environment -- roads, sidewalks, utility poles and bus stops-- in Richmond and its surrounding counties can be improved.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Click It or Ticket! campaign reminds those who will be traveling that the best way to ensure you and your loved ones arrive at your destination safely is to always wear a seat belt.

Virginia teens are being encouraged to jingle their way to a safe holiday by creating a safe driving song or tune for a statewide competition.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comment on the potential development of a framework of principles to govern the safe behavior of automated driving systems (ADS) in the future.

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) reviews and approves allocations from the Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program.

With many Virginians planning to hit the road to grandma’s house, or wherever they may be heading, the Virginia State Police says motorists should be traveling with extra caution, even with less travel anticipated this year versus previous years.

If you’re like many Americans who are driving less due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your skills are getting a bit rusty. If you’re worried you’re losing your edge behind the wheel, consider these tips to help strengthen your driving skills when you’re driving less.

By keeping up with FMCSA’s safety guidelines, a fleet is more likely to receive a positive safety record and stay on the road.

More than one in three long-haul truck driver has been in a serious truck crash in their career. While crash deaths of occupants of large trucks held at about 5,000 between 2018 and 2019, non-commercial traffic deaths dropped 2% over the same period.

Video telematics has advanced significantly over the past several years — alerting drivers in real time to risky behaviors and helping managers maintain “eyes and ears” on the field.

Technological advances have made cars safer in many ways. There are systems that brake if a collision is imminent; warn the driver and take control if the car leaves the lane, and issue alerts when pedestrians are about to step into the road.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we asked Martha Mitchell Meade, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, about what travelers can expect this holiday season and on-the-road safety tips.

As drivers get more familiar with and develop trust in partial automation, they fidget with electronics and take both hands off the wheel more often. As a result, their focus slips.

Last year, 49% of teen traffic fatalities reported people unrestrained (37 fatalities/18 unrestrained) according to the Virginia DMV.

The American Automobile Association is encouraging Virginia motorists to prepare their vehicles for snow and frosty temperatures.

This year, VDOT cares for over 128,000 lane miles of state-maintained roads. They have more than 11,300 pieces of snow removal equipment. There’s more than 690,000 tons of salt, sand and treated abrasives.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is holding its annual “Click It or Ticket campaign, stressing the importance of wearing your seatbelt. Local police departments are joining the campaign.

An estimated 1.35 million people die from road crashes around the globe annually, and something like 50 million more are seriously injured or disabled, according to the World Health Organization.

While holiday travel will look different this year for families across the country, for those venturing out and visiting family, we want to remind everyone to buckle up - whether in the front or backseat of the car.

Constructed in the Woman’s Club of Arlington’s parking lot, the garden was a collaboration by Phoenix Bikes, Potomac and Chesapeake Cycling, Bike Arlington and Arlington Public Schools

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to conduct a national survey to look at the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors involving drowsy driving.

When it comes to identifying proper tire inflation, the old-school methods of using baseball bats and coins are no substitute for digital data.

In a statement Thursday, AAA Mid-Atlantic said that while they predict more than 50 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday, that’s down about 5 million from last year and would be the largest one-year drop since the 2008 recession.

With the end of daylight saving time this past weekend, motorists will be presented with challenges that could impact pedestrian safety.

Regulators want a clearer picture of what trucking industry stakeholders expect from automated Class 8 vehicles integrated into conventional fleet operations and freight networks.

The $3.8 billion project, which commenced Oct. 29, will involve increasing tunnel and interstate capacity along 9.9 miles of I-64 between Hampton and Norfolk.

The Virginia Transportation Research Council, an arm of the Virginia Department of Transportation, presented their findings on Albemarle’s wildlife corridors, and how to better connect habitats across busy roadways.

Do not underestimate the power of a quick nap. Pulling into a rest stop and taking a quick catnap – at least 20 minutes and no more than 30 minutes of sleep – can help to keep you alert on the road.

Given that most of the AI developers have their hands full with trying to get the self-driving car to handle the day-to-day normal stuff, the idea of preparing the AI to contend with a falling tree is a somewhat distant thought.

It’s difficult to teach a machine to react correctly when faced with new or unpredictable situations we frequently encounter while driving. Heaps of engineering effort has gone into cracking this problem.

Simulators can serve as a resource for truck driver training and testing, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, according to experts assembled for a webinar hosted by the Transportation Research Board on Nov. 6.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a press release urging vehicle owners “to take immediate action when notified of a safety defect.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every year about 100,000 police-reported crashes involve drowsy driving. These crashes result in more than 1,550 fatalities and 71,000 injuries.

County leaders said they're happy to be at the forefront of an emerging technology, but that the shuttle also fills a real need of “last mile” transportation, connecting a busy Metrorail site with a retail district that is about a mile away, a little farther than most are willing to walk.

According to Mark Cole, a highway safety engineer with the Virginia Department of Transportation, pedestrian deaths truly began to shoot up in the state four years ago.

The nation’s major metropolitan areas have seen drastic declines in the use of public transit for much of this year compared to last.

There were 1,560 cellphone-related crashes in Virginia, making up 6.7 percent of distracted driving crashes in 2019, according to data from the Virginia Highway Safety Office.

The National Safety Council (NSC) report ‘Understanding Driver Distraction’ finds that evidence proves that distraction can be deadly. It states that actions should be taken to eliminate distracted driving as well as the deaths and injuries it causes.

The $3.8 billion project will increase tunnel and interstate capacity along 9.9 miles of Interstate 64 between Hampton and Norfolk, reducing congestion and easing access to the Port of Virginia and the world’s largest Naval base.

The number of older licensed drivers rose almost twice as fast from 2010 to 2018 as it had in the previous decade, and older drivers also drove more.

When the topic of driver fatigue comes up, National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) Senior Crash Investigator Mike Fox has some tough stories to tell about drivers and the carriers they work for.

Nearly 30 people die throughout the U.S. every day in traffic crashes caused by alcohol or drug impairment. That adds up to a toll of nearly 10,500 lives cut short every year.

It’s that time of the year again, when truckers must prepare for an onslaught of inclement weather from icy roads to freezing temperatures by winterizing their rigs.

Installing forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems on heavy-duty vehicles could eliminate more than 40% of rear-end crashes involving large trucks, according to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study of SmartDrive Systems data.

Coaching programs should be appropriately geared to the drivers who are receiving training, according to panelists assembled at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition.

The sergeant says this isn’t just about driver safety. The real concern is what could happen in an emergency. If Route 311 is blocked, in whole or in part, it can mean major detours for first responders.

Road rage is a criminal offense. NHTSA (2000, 2001) defines it as, "An assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of one motor vehicle or precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 32,000 people are killed and 2 million injured in motor vehicle crashes each year in the United States.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, texting while you drive at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes shut – every text.

The New YOVASO Club of the Year Award recognized REACH Homeschool in Spotsylvania for its work to encourage safe teen driving and traffic safety during its first year as a YOVASO member.

While protection from the virus will be on most parents’ minds, if they are allowing children to go out to trick or treat, it is also important to protect them as they walk or ride bicycles on the sidewalks and roadways.

The study is being conducted jointly by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA).

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), based in Washington D.C., recently recognized the 10th anniversary of its goDCgo initiative.

From 2010-2019, Oslo had an average of five to seven traffic fatalities a year. Some U.S. cities of similar size to Oslo (population 693,491 in 2018) have more than double the traffic fatalities in a given year.

It’s true that in metropolitan areas with big commuter rush hours, rush hours don’t account for as much of the total traffic of the day as people sitting in traffic might think.

In the nearly eight months since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States, cities across the county have closed roads, extended bike lanes and turned parking spaces into dining spots as a way to give Americans more space to move around safely during the health crisis.

The average American drives over 13,000 miles each year, according to the Federal Highway Administration, and there are 6.7 million traffic crashes every year, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Many cities have enacted restrictions limiting e-scooter use on sidewalks or ordinances barring them from pedestrian areas altogether.

The report provides fleets with best practices regarding low rolling resistance tires, noting that diligent maintenance is essential to get the best life and performance.

The week serves as a time to remind parents and teens about the dangers that can be had on the roads, and to open the conversation about safe driving practices.

Every 84 minutes in the United States, a pedestrian dies in a traffic-related incident, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. In 2018, 6,283 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, up from 5,977 the year before.

Fleets are finding success in combating distracted driving with training and technology. But other drivers’ distractions remain a problem for professional drivers.

Natural disasters mean road closures and detours. Prepare by checking road conditions through state and federal DOT websites for emergency-related road closures and other delays.

Virginia experienced a 15.4-percent increase in the number of unrestrained fatalities between January 1 and May 21, compared to the same period in 2019 (Virginia Department of Transportation, 2020).

Bureau Chief for Transportation and Operations Hui Wong says Vision Zero started in Europe to eliminate traffic death and severe injuries. More than 40 U.S. cities and localities have joined the movement.

Teens from the District of Columbia and the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia are being invited to help spread the word about the dangers of speeding in the fourth annual Drive Safe D.C. PSA Contest.

Deer mating season is beginning and October, November and December are the most dangerous months in Virginia for motor vehicle collisions with animals.

Halifax County High School won the Occupant Protection Award in recognition of a school or club’s efforts to promote seat belts and occupant protection.

A report from the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that even while people were driving less during March, fatalities per miles driven that month were up 14% over March 2019.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2019 fatality data show a continued annual decline in traffic deaths. However, trends toward risky driving behaviors have become concerning.

Workers patching potholes, striping roads, directing traffic or building highways are more at risk than ever, they say, as drivers zoom through work zones or are preoccupied chatting or texting on their phones.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics suggest that the growing amount of safety tech is starting to pay off. They show traffic fatalities dropping to an estimated 36,120 in 2019 from 37,461 in 2016 despite a rise in average miles traveled.

Slippery conditions make it much more important to observe the warning sign (black lettering on a yellow background), which normally has a suggested speed limit under DRY conditions, meaning your vehicle should be well below this speed.

The number of large-truck occupants who perished in traffic crashes increased slightly in 2019, while overall traffic fatalities declined, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

Drivers in their 70s are now less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than those in their prime working years, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found.

Each year, MADD recognizes the brave men and women of Virginia for their commitment to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking.

There is currently a multitude of such proposed AI Ethics indications and no single set has become the one-and-only globally accepted standard, though nonetheless they all pretty much adhere to a similar theme and core values.

The decrease came even though vehicle miles traveled increased by nearly 1%, reducing the fatality rate to 1.1 per 100 million miles traveled. That was the lowest since 2014.

Fall is here and winter is quickly approaching. Before you know it, ice and snow will be falling from the skies once again. Now is as good a time as ever to refresh your memory on how to navigate slippery roads and poor driving conditions.

According to NSC, this new technology can scan up to 1,500 license plates an hour using recognition cameras mounted on specially designed cars and identify vehicles with open safety recalls.

The Liberty, Jefferson Forest, and Staunton River high school YOVASO clubs were among the 22 award winners recognized during the annual Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO) Awards Ceremony Tuesday night.

Distracted driving continues to be a danger to everyone on the nation’s roads. In 2018, 2,841 people died in distracted driving crashes in America, according to the latest data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

On Jan. 1, 2021, the hands-free law will go into effect statewide. This law, HB874/SB160, allows drivers to be fined for holding a handheld personal communications device while driving.

Advancements in the autonomous vehicle industry to overcome the faults of human error are changing how we think about safety not only on the road, but also in the other sectors.

The National Safety Council will recognize the 10th anniversary of Distracted Driving Awareness Month this October, kicking off the annual observance with the release of a report that details the science behind distraction and calls on key stakeholders to make life-saving changes.

In addition to buckling up, the campaign will also address speed prevention, which remains a key factor in all fatal crashes involving a young driver with approximately half of fatal teen crashes being caused by excessive speed.

Considering our winters are harder on our vehicles than any other season, a little extra attention in the fall can pay off big time in avoiding frosty weather breakdowns.

While helmets might feel clunky or unnecessary at first, they are worth getting used to. Helmets greatly reduce the risk of head injuries or death.

Many carmakers are yet again recalibrating their expectations and timelines for the vehicles, noting that consumer behavior might change permanently as a result of the pandemic.

In accordance with Child Passenger Safety Week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is emphasizing the importance of proper safety seat implementation and overall child passenger measures.

The data also highlights the influence that other factors such as weather can have on cycling. Record warmth in January and February 2020 may be the best explanation for why New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago had already seen big booms in bike trips even before the pandemic began.

Officials hope the vivid displays of blue ripples that border the bike lane will grab the attention of drivers and pedestrians, and ultimately lead to safer travel through the area.

Virginia Tech research associate Andrew Miller said the research confirms previous findings by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health that found coaching is a crucial piece of any driver monitoring system.

This week, the trucking industry recognized its truck drivers with special events, giving out prizes and awards as a part of its recognition. Using the hashtag, #NTDAW2020 and #NTDAW, companies took to social media to spread the word about this week’s events.

The nation is grappling with a pedestrian safety crisis that has worsened in recent years: The number of pedestrians killed in the U.S. hit a 28-year high of 6,283 in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has issued its approval for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel’s five-year, $3.8 billion expansion to proceed, VDOT announced Thursday.

As for the lonely long-distance truck driver, think of how much more successful and safer they can be with a whole team openly communicating in support. And speaking of building team communication, don’t forget to include your highway patrol.

This plan serves as a guide for the region in creating a more efficient, responsive and environmentally sensitive transportation system during the next 25 years, and represents the interests of the city of Lynchburg, the town of Amherst and urbanized portions of Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties.

The results from this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week are in, reminding the trucking industry that safety on the road starts with the driver.

Researchers have found that almost all road users break the law, but the reasons for the infractions differ between modes. Motorists break road rules to save time while cyclists do so to save their necks.

Pedestrians are one of the most at-risk groups of roadway users, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While pedestrians account for only 3 percent of all Americans involved in traffic crashes, they represent 14 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Traveling at a speed of 60 miles per hour, a driver taking a photo for approximately two seconds takes their eyes off of the road for 176 feet, which is the length of nearly two basketball courts, over half a soccer field, or nearly half a football field.

Be cognizant of the time of year. Harvest season typically runs from September through November. Drivers should expect to see farm vehicles on the road during this time.

In July 2019, VDOT began implementing operational improvements including traffic cameras, changeable message signs, curve warning systems, additional Safety Service Patrol resources, and innovative towing programs.

Automotive cybersecurity tactics and protocols will have to adapt not just to changing threats, but also to changing models of how we utilize vehicles.

City leaders say pedestrian deaths in Roanoke are triple what they were last year.
Increased state funding to address the problem will add safety measures to help reduce the number of pedestrian deaths.

Automakers’ marketing and branding of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) can inflate a driver’s expectations of what the systems can handle, creating overconfident drivers, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

The global coronavirus pandemic has apparently brought out the worst in American drivers. Six months since the coronavirus upended our lives, highway safety officials across the country are reporting a severe spike in speeding.

Virginia firefighters are urging drivers to move over and slow down while passing emergency scenes following a recent crash involving a box truck and an apparatus.

Operations improvements typically entail minor tweaks to existing infrastructure such as faster towing of disabled vehicles, clearer signage and better lighting, for example — all relatively low-cost upgrades that can reduce the occurrence and severity of backups.

The Virginia State Police participated in two annual, traffic-safety enforcement programs over the 2020 Labor Day weekend: Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE) and Checkpoint Strikeforce.

Something subtle and insidious has happened over the past decade or so of driving: the cabin of your car, truck or SUV has been invaded by an occupying force of dings, chimes, klaxons and flashing lights, each one vying for your attention in the middle of your morning commute.

As with driving any vehicle for business, employees who are responsible for driving a truck can face various aspects of risk in their daily work lives. It is imperative that, for their own safety and that of other road users, action is taken to reduce as much risk as possible.

The video messaging app Zoom has become widely used by many. But it is now also becoming a distraction for drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Front crash prevention systems use cameras, radar or other sensors to monitor the roadway ahead. Some include only forward collision warning, which alerts the driver to obstacles in the roadway.

Most of the vehicles without ratings are low-volume models, sports cars, luxury vehicles, or large vans. The expense is too great for NHTSA and the IIHS to test all vehicles, so choices are made based on car sales volume and testing budgets.

As roadway fatalities have surged during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic despite fewer vehicles on the road, one ride share company is partnering with some of the nation’s leading safety organizations to ensure safe rides for all customers.

Failure to use seat belt while operating a commercial motor vehicle was the second most identified traffic enforcement offense, accounting for 12.51% of all warnings (760) and 21.53% (1,003) of all citations given to commercial motor vehicle drivers.

State police is one of nearly 100 law enforcement agencies conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols through Labor Day in an effort to prevent and deter impaired driving and DUI/DUID-related crashes.

The 2019 Labor Day weekend saw a rise in fatal crashes across the Commonwealth. A total of 17 individuals died in traffic crashes in Virginia during the 2019 four-day, holiday, compared to 14 deaths in 2018.

Obtaining a driver's license is arguably one of the most exciting privileges of a young adult's life. However, many new drivers don't fully understand the safety risks and concerns of this coveted privilege.

The main reason for teen crashes is inexperience behind the wheel. The National Safety Council estimates that half of all teenagers will be involved in a car crash before graduating high school.

Making a difference in the community is not a new concept to the trucking industry. Over the past six months, the industry has seen a collective coming together from across the country through free lunches for truck drivers, financial assistance, and more.

Teen drivers and drivers 65 years and older – two age groups at a higher risk of being involved in an automobile crash – are more likely to be driving vehicles that are less safe, putting them at even higher risk of injury.

NHTSA has estimated that 40 percent of vehicles with open recalls don’t get repaired, and safety advocates like Shahan worry that it’s because owners might have never received a recall notice in the first place.

While driving is extremely convenient, it can also be dangerous. Thousands of car crashes occur daily and while most are minor, there are some that cause serious injuries or are even fatal.

As part of AAA’s annual School’s Open, Drive Carefully campaign, motorists are advised to expect to see children along their travel routes throughout the day and to be extremely cautious in neighborhoods and in school zones.

“There’s nothing worse in this job than having to tell someone their loved one was killed, and we just want people to get home at the end of the day," Sgt. Rouze said.

Last year, nearly one-third (31.9 percent) of traffic fatalities in Virginia were due to alcohol-related crashes, and 18,648 people were convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in the Commonwealth.

Once the pandemic subsides, will traffic return to normal with the pre-pandemic rush hours and congestion that have been a staple on U.S. roads for years?

While the inspections may be focusing on driver requirements, law enforcement officers are going to look at the condition of the vehicle as well.

It’s no surprise that a lack of driving experience contributes to teen driving crashes. Even without a lot of miles under their belts, teens tend to overestimate their abilities and underestimate the dangers of the road.

Despite a nationwide pandemic, Americans are still on the roads and traveling for the upcoming three day weekend. The National Safety Council estimates that 390 fatalities and 44,400 serious injuries will talk place on U.S. roadways.

In seconds, someone can break the window, unlock the door, and steal your items or the vehicle itself. The worst part is that there are very few witnesses around when this happens, but by taking extra caution and planning, you can avoid burglaries and break-ins.

The ELD Mandate, which fully went into effect in December 2019, is an initiative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The goal is to improve driver safety.

For the study, institute researchers analyzed data on fatal crashes from several sources to determine how often teens were killed in different types of vehicles compared to older drivers during 2013-17 and in contrast to 2008-12.

During the 1950s, '60s and '70s — the period covered by these photos — Lynchburg and Central Virginia experienced a frenzy of road construction. We may take them for granted, but these projects shape and expand our definition of community.

One thing to keep in mind here is that if you as the parent are financing the purchase, you certainly have every right to decide on the vehicle, the equipment it has and, critically, how and when it is used.

Fairfax County and Dominion Energy are testing an autonomous electric shuttle that could be carrying passengers between the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station and the county’s eclectic Mosaic District as early as this fall.

Fourteen high school students from across the Commonwealth were recently selected to serve on Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety’s Youth Advisory Council for the 2020-2021 school year.

Those who violate the law will face a $125 fine for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense. Violation of the law in a work zone is an automatic $250 fine, even if it’s a driver’s first offense.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and The National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) are launching a program to incentivize and honor SADD State Coordinators who demonstrate creativity in promoting SADD programs.

Enforcement officials will inspect commercial motor vehicles throughout the week. Vehicles found to have critical out-of-service brake violations or other critical vehicle out-of-service inspection item violations will be restricted from traveling until those violations are corrected.

Public transit systems play an essential role in moving large numbers of people around New York. Before Covid-19, nearly three-quarters of all daily commuters and visitors took the subway, bus, train or ferry in the city.

The proportion of U.S. teens killed driving older, smaller vehicles has remained virtually unchanged over the past decade, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows.

Commercial vehicle drivers are more likely to engage in unsafe driving behaviors at the beginning or end of their shifts. Meanwhile, U.S. drivers are speeding more frequently on the less-congested roadways during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The postponed International Roadcheck event has been rescheduled for Sept. 9-11, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced Aug. 10.

With fully-autonomous trucks years away, Level 1 and Level 2 driver assistance systems are helping experienced commercial drivers be even safer on U.S. highways as larger fleets are adopting the evolving technologies.

Beyond their recreational and economic value, rail trails can also serve as critical transportation connections, especially in rural areas which lack alternatives to private vehicle ownership.

Automotive engineers and large elements of the automotive press are very excited about the idea of production vehicles that can operate autonomously. The problem is the car-buying public seems much less sold on the idea.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is one of the key stakeholders in a new project to enable sharing of information about unmanned aerial systems (UAS), to address key safety and policy concerns while keeping the airspace open.

Virginia pedestrian deaths reached a record high in 2019, so Drive Smart Virginia is reminding drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to share the responsibility of road safety—especially during Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month in September.

Sunshine streaming through car windows turns the vehicle into an oven, and lowering the windows slightly is ineffective at keeping the temperature low.

School buses are traditionally a very safe way to travel. They represent 25 percent of the miles traveled by students in the U.S. but account for less than 4 percent of the injuries and 2 percent of fatalities.

Wildlife sightings are commonplace for anyone who spends time on Virginia’s highways. But many drivers are also all too familiar with the danger that can arise quickly when animals venture into the human-made spaces crisscrossing their habitats.

You’re a parent and you’ve protected your child from all dangers on and off the road. Now your child is a teenager and they are marking off the days until they are old enough to drive. This may leave you asking yourself, what can I do to keep my teen driver safe?

More than 50 children died of vehicular heatstroke in both 2018 and 2019. Thirty-five of the record 54 fatalities in 2018 happened in the first seven months of the year.

After months of sticking close to home, US travelers plan on making more than 680 million car trips this summer, according to AAA.

If you've got these masks hanging from the rearview mirror, that's blocking your vision. Who knows what you could be missing. It only takes a second for a collision to happen and for you to miss something.

Top officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration have emphasized the importance of advanced driver assistance systems, automated driving systems, and other technologies in commercial trucking.

Apart from being unpleasant to drive on, poor roads are linked to worse traffic, reduced safety, and increased vehicle ownership costs. Research from AAA found that potholes alone cost drivers $3 billion a year in vehicle repair costs.

The new initiative implementing 15 mph speed limits will build upon an effort to promote safer use of streets by pedestrians that has been underway since early June that began with seven initial areas.

AAA found significant problems during simulations where it placed a broken-down car in the vehicle's path. It reported that about two-thirds of the time, a test vehicle would strike the stalled car at an average speed of 25 mph.

Drunk driving remains a major issue in the United States. Alcohol has been a factor in about 30 % of traffic deaths every year for the past decade, and police arrest about a million people a year for driving under its influence.

In Virginia, the days are hot in the summer. The temperature in a car can quickly rise into the 100s and can become deadly in a matter of minutes,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran.

The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) last week released a guide urging local leaders to rethink how they set speed limits on city streets in a bid to prevent pedestrian deaths.

While age does have some impact on potential truck driver risk, commercial motor vehicle driving experience is more important when considering risk, according to a recent study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Whether it’s walking or biking, more people are enjoying time outdoors during the coronavirus pandemic, but some cities have done a better job at keeping the roads safe for pedestrians — and D.C. is one of them.

The contest involves students creating a TV, radio or billboard PSA to educate their peers about the dangers of distracted driving, specifically the dangers of using a phone while driving.

Deer-vehicle collisions account for about 1 million crashes each year that kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Conventional artificial intelligence algorithms opt for a model akin to a knowledge oracle where the autonomous vehicle observes its whole environment constantly and with full detail.

Day in day out, thousands of people get affected by mishaps related to crashes on the road. Unfortunately, these folks are either bereaved by or personally hurt in car crashes.

The first electric autonomous shuttle to run on public streets in Northern Virginia is being programmed and tested in the Mosaic District of Fairfax County.

Ultimately, the most important component for reliability is the motor. If it fails or underperforms, all improvements to the rest of the system won’t matter. Unfortunately, not all motors are the same.

New data from the National Safety Council (NSC) found the U.S. traffic fatality rate jumped 23.5% in May, compared to the year prior, despite the number of vehicle miles driven in that month dropping 25.5%.

The virtual sessions will provide motor carriers, drivers, safety technology developers and users, safety advocacy groups and more — as well as members of the public – an opportunity to share their ideas on improving trucking safety.

While PM inspections and service help keep trucks in top operating condition, fleets shouldn't overlook the additional value of the data collected during those events to help make other decisions.

In the United States one child dies from heatstroke in a vehicle every 10 days, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Since 1998, there have been more than 850 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths.

What first was imagined as a “Bicycle Beltway” has evolved into a transportation plan for walkers and bikers approved by D.C.-area leaders in order to create seamless paths for travel regionwide.

Uncertainty remains for the operational impact as 57.1% of respondents said it was unknown at this time if they would have additional reduction in workforce in the next six months.

Roanoke has launched a safety campaign called "Every Corner is a Crosswalk" to call attention to the duties of drivers and pedestrians to be more careful. The city hopes to reduce the number of crashes between vehicles and people walking.

Bicycles do not significantly reduce passenger car travel speeds on low speed, low volume urban roads without bicycle lanes.

Getting a driver’s license, one of the biggest teenage milestones, has been put on hold in recent months, with closures at the DMV and wait lists at driving schools.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on July 23 unveiled guidelines that technology innovators can follow to help them engage with the federal government as they develop new projects.

As we get older, we likely will notice physical changes that can make certain actions such as moving our foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal more challenging. Driver safety requires more than understanding road signs and traffic laws states.

Corporate fleet safety management practices like driver training, fatigue risk management, in-vehicle monitoring systems (IVMSs), and strong mobile phone policies can reduce the number and severity of motor vehicle crashes.

Safety advocates joined federal and state transportation agencies recently as the U.S. Department of Transportation launched a virtual safety summit with the first of three webinars to discuss ways to reduce pedestrian fatalities on the nation’s roadways.

Federal trucking regulators are seeking information on the safety operations of small commercial trucks and vans making deliveries for online retailers and grocery stores that seem to be increasing in number in recent months.

The study finds that widespread adoption of crash avoidance technologies available today and other existing safety systems could save upward of 16,800 to 20,500 lives annually, according to Consumer Reports.

In 2018, the most current year available, NHTSA data reveals pedestrians accounted for 17 percent of all road deaths, up from 12 percent in 2009, and reportedly reaching the highest number in thirty years.

Self-driving vehicles will need not only to obey traffic laws but also to adapt to road conditions and implement driving strategies that account for uncertainty about what other road users will do.

Despite the importance of a reliable transportation network, upkeep of critical infrastructure is being neglected across the country as roads, bridges, and railroads age.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) continues to safely reopen customer service centers for specific services by appointment only. Another three locations will reopen on July 20.

Proper training and mentoring can help ensure younger truck drivers filling the void left by those retiring from the industry develop and maintain safe driving habits.

In a study in the July 2 edition of the Journal of Adolescent Medicine, researchers at Yale identified some of the factors contributing to delaying driving licensure, or DDL, and pointed to policy changes that could expand safety training regardless of age.

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare — inadvertently leaving an infant or toddler in a hot vehicle. Because there is so much going on in today’s world, especially in the midst of a pandemic, it can happen to anyone.

A growing number of vehicles in virtually all classes and price points either come standard with or are offering a sophisticated range of driver-assist features engineered to help motorists avoid getting into crashes.

The nation's truck drivers are among those who are risking their personal health and doing the hard work to keep products moving to stores, hospitals and elsewhere. And their effort is being recognized.

Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a major safety issue, especially for commercial truckers. It is important for carriers to pinpoint the telltale signs of marijuana use and enforce anti-drug-use policies in the workplace.

Law enforcement will be paying closer attention to unsafe driving behaviors of both truck and car drivers July 12-18 as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week.

When enforcement begins in January, it’ll be a primary offense, meaning police can pull you over if they see you on your phone. The penalty is a $125 fine for the first offense and $250 for the second, or if you were caught in a construction zone.

Even though state police did its part to enhance its response times and traffic safety enforcement efforts, too many motorists still put their lives and others at risk during the holiday weekend by failing to drive smart, safe or sober.

Americans took 2.8 billion fewer total trips during the 4th of July week this year than they did in 2019. That overall drop is supported by similar declines in the number of trips per day throughout the week.

While many people associate risks on the road with the winter season, there is plenty of danger looming during the warmer months if drivers aren't careful.

A new law takes effect starting this week, which will make crossing the road easier and safer for pedestrians. On Wednesday, July 1, the new law requires drivers to stop and not just yield for pedestrians at crosswalks in all lanes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), working with the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), launched a statewide survey on Monday, June 29 to gauge the impact of coronavirus on commuters.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that they will implement a new method for passenger vehicle road skills testing while incorporating social distancing.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, heatstroke is one of the leading causes of vehicular not-in-traffic non-crash-related deaths for children under 14.

Senate Bill 437 (Protection of Bicyclists and Other Vulnerable Road Users) makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to operate a vehicle in a careless or distracted manner if serious bodily injury is caused to a vulnerable road user.

Establishing a true safety culture requires accountability, empowerment, and airtight communication — as well as a clear understanding of the common causes of roadside inspection violations.

As temperatures across the country continue to climb this summer and states begin to reopen, the National Safety Council is calling on Americans to educate themselves about the dangers of pediatric vehicular heatstroke and how to prevent it.

As traffic volumes begin rebounding as COVID-19 lockdown orders are relaxed, renewed emphasis is being placed on highway work zone safety especially as higher incidences of speeding recorded during the pandemic are abating only slowly.

Virginia State Police announced Thursday, July 2, that it will increase patrols from 12:01 a.m. Friday through midnight Sunday as part of Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort.

American Trucking Associations and ATA's Share the Road highway safety program offered safety tips to help holiday travelers take precautions when driving this Independence Day weekend.

Preliminary estimates based on April data from all 50 states indicate that for the second straight month, Americans did not reap any safety benefit from having less roadway traffic.

As the adoption of autonomous vehicles spreads, roads could be made even safer and more efficient with intelligent infrastructure and traffic management systems, such as smart traffic signals, and even robot traffic controllers.

According to Arrivalist’s Daily Travel Index, which uses GPS data to monitor road trips of 50 miles or more, car travel has increased each week since April. The Memorial Day weekend had the most dramatic uptick in 2020 road trips.

The state transportation board says that while fewer people have been on the roads due to coronavirus shutdowns, there’s a concerning uptick in the number of traffic deaths where victims are speeding and not wearing seat belts.

According to preliminary data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), from March 13-May 21, 2020, speed-related fatalities make up about 50% of the overall fatalities, which is greater than in the same time frame in 2019 (42%).

Truck drivers have been among the front-line responders to the pandemic, delivering medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and ensuring that store shelves across the country remained stocked with essential goods for consumers.

Previously, the DMV had allowed all driver’s licenses expiring on or before July 31 to be extended until August 31 at the latest, registrations expiring in June got 60 days, and those expiring in July got a 30-day extension.

The Virginia Department of Transportation studied the stretch of West Main Street between Hopeman Parkway and Old White Bridge Road. The area has seen hundreds of crashes over the years, some fatal.

This year, 46 million Americans say they plan to hit the open road in a recreational vehicle (RV), up from 25 million in 2019, as coronavirus lockdowns force travel lovers to look closer to home for their holiday getaway.

As a growing number of states emerge from COVID-19 isolation, the AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Culture Index serves as an important reminder that when drivers return to the road, they need to leave their bad habits behind.

With many opinion polls showing deep skepticism among Americans about self-driving cars, the effort aims to boost public awareness. NHTSA plans “online mapping tools” that will eventually show testing locations and activity data.

Crash data shows that for every mile driven, drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash than adults are.

Known as the AV TEST initiative, a catchy acronym for Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing, the public will be able to see the log online and also sign-up to be emailed whenever the latest info is posted.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is hoping for input on a planning study to consider potential safety and operational improvements along a five-mile section of Route 460.

Between 1998 and 2019, Maryland has had 14 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths. Virginia has had 26 and D.C. has had one. Each of these deaths is heartbreaking news. However, one possibility for the lower number compared to past years is the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

From a distance, transportation researchers at Virginia Tech are finding creative ways to continue educating teenage drivers, as well as those with more experience, on safe driving behaviors.

To keep the roads safe National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA) recommends that drivers and passengers avoid distractions, stay sober, always wear a seat belt and make sure that children are in the correct car seat or booster seat.

A yearlong study of where and why crashes are killing and injuring people on D.C.-area roads is over, and local leaders are reviewing ideas to help make roads safer.

As driving begins to return to normal levels across the country after months of lockdown, motorists may fall back into bad driving habits. Even though drivers know that their risky behavior is wrong, many do it anyway, particularly those involved in a recent crash.

The project costs $3.5 million and will remove portions of the outdated high-trafficked highway that present operational and safety challenges. The section is along Virginia Beach Boulevard between Clarence Street and Newtown Road.

New research by insurance comparison website The Zebra reveals that motorists continue to engage in distracted driving, which goes beyond smartphones. In addition to nearly two-thirds of those surveyed admitting using their phone while driving, motorists are finding more creative ways to engage in distracted driving.

Holding a device in itself while driving will not be a violation, but holding one while talking into it, using a touchscreen, pressing buttons, or using it in other ways will be a violation, according to the ordinance.

As the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) continues gradually reopening across Virginia, several more customer service centers, including in the Shenandoah Valley, will be opening back up next week.

IIHS research has shown that manufacturers will need to design self-driving vehicles specifically to prioritize safety over other rider preferences to eliminate the majority of today’s crashes.

With Summer coming around and temperatures rising its important to remember to not keep children or pets locked in hot vehicles. If you won't be able to bring pets or kids inside with you then they should be kept home, not left in a vehicle.

Blind spots can create particularly dangerous situations for drivers, including back up crashes due to the rear blind spot, and cyclist and pedestrian collisions due to nearside blind spots.

Determining the root cause of why a driver's eyes are off the road early can help mitigate crashes and improve safety. Even seemingly minor distractions can have a devastating impact on the safety of drivers and the motoring public.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has awarded a $4.5 million contract for a road project in Roanoke. The road improvements will take place on Route 419 and is intended to make a handful of changes to decrease congestion and to provide safer conditions for pedestrians and bikers.

A new article, published online by the Work Research Group at Vanderbilt, takes a hard look at transportation modes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic using mathematical analysis and basic laws of traffic to explore scenarios of increased car commuting. Through their work, the researchers predict a sweeping switch to single-occupancy vehicle commuting and resulting risk for extreme traffic in large metro areas.

Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and surfaces.

States are starting to open again after shelter-in-place orders to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and in response, government fleet managers are changing the way they do business. For some, that means more employees are back at work and for others, it’s the opposite.

During the peak of our stay-at-home order, data from the Virginia Department of Transportation shows an unprecedented drop in traffic volumes and crashes in Hampton Roads.

Statewide stay-at-home orders prompted by the coronavirus pandemic have resulted in various trends related to traffic volume and safety, according to transportation experts.

The National Transportation Safety Board is calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to adopt limo safety reforms in the wake of the Schoharie limo crash.

Reducing traffic deaths caused by driver error has been the main promise of self-driving car technology, a promise industry has used to justify billions of dollars of investment and the rush to get automated technologies on the road.

Motor vehicle-related traffic fatalities were down 1.2% in 2019 despite a 0.9% rise in vehicle miles traveled, according to preliminary data released in May by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of almost 30 people a day die from drunk-driving crashes, equaling more than 10,000 deaths a year.

SADD and The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit group, are mounting a massive social media campaign to call attention to a host of safe driving issues from distracted and drowsy driving to impaired and aggressive driving.

Using remote driver training to reinforce the safety knowledge of drivers can go a long way in protecting carriers by making fleets safer, which also helps save money and keeps drivers on the road.

To make the busy thoroughfare safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, the city has lowered the speed limit on the stretch through the resort area.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is still seeking public comment on a plan that seeks to alleviate traffic congestion along the heavily traveled Route 460/College Avenue corridor in Bluefield, Va.

NHTSA has developed a new Safety Passenger Enhancement Plan with implications for the wider autonomous shuttle industry throughout North America.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will unveil a new ad campaign, reminding drivers to slow down and practice safer driving habits as coronavirus restrictions are lifted and they return to the road.

With more people than ever staying home to lessen the spread of COVID-19, their sedans, pickup trucks and SUVs are parked unattended on the streets, making them easy targets for opportunistic thieves.

Adolescents can be some of the scariest drivers on the road because inexperience behind the wheel and the urge to text during a drive make them dangerous to other drivers.

The crash data from the last decade are alarming, and with the combination of COVID-related factors at play this year, it’s essential for parents to talk with their teens now.

Traffic congestion is a serious problem in the United States, but a new analysis shows that interactive technology is helping in cities that use it.

The relative safety of American motor vehicle activity as a measure of fatalities per 100 million miles driven isn't quite its all-time best, but it's not far off. Driving is significantly safer than it was even 25 years ago.

It only takes a second, but it can have life-long repercussions. Texting and driving may seem innocent enough (and it's certainly tempting to do), but every year thousands of faultless drivers and passengers are killed due to the negligence of other drivers.

Despite less traffic on the roads due to the coronavirus pandemic, eight people died on state highways over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, and reckless driving citations and DUIs were only slightly down.

The new speed limits will drop from 25 mph to 20 mph, but only on certain streets. The reduced speeds are aimed at increasing pedestrian safety.

With road accidents claiming many lives every day, it has become essential for the transport industry and governments to invest their money towards safety.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert to help protect people who use rideshare services from contracting COVID-19

The latest poll to affirm this deep distrust comes from Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE), a coalition of industry players and nonprofits aimed at improving the public’s understanding of autonomous vehicles.

There are going to be a million studies on the corona virus and its impacts in the years and decades to come, but we're already getting data about driving and public transit, and what it means going forward.

As the nation seeks to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, National Transportation Safety Board officials are encouraging increased road safety to support the action.

One of the many critical components in your car are your brakes. Modern cars are equipped with disc brakes that help you stop while driving and is the first line of defense in the event of a mishap.

The higher fatality rates run counter to previous recessions, when the number of fatalities per miles driven fell, Kolosh said. "Something very different is happening in this current circumstance with this pandemic," he said.

As Americans plan for life after pandemic lockdowns, many want to avoid public transport and use a car instead, straining already underfunded transit systems and risking an increase in road congestion and pollution.

The Global Fleet Conference will be presented this year in various digital formats through the month of June 2020, and with topics tailored to meet today’s needs under the title “Preparing for the New Normal.”

The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically cut down on car traffic on many of D.C.'s streets. Council Members are hoping that it drives a more permanent shift.

Since 2018, the day has been set aside to recognize the importance of transportation relative to all Virginians. This year, VDOT announced the focus is on honoring the frontline transportation workers and the critical work they do.

Addressing anticipated $50 billion decrease in state transportation revenues due to COVID-19 seen as vital to funding needed repairs and modernization to improve rural conditions, support economic recovery and boost safety

More children ages 5-14 go to emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries than with any other sport; many are head injuries,” NHTSA states. “Like car crashes, bicycle crashes can happen at any time.

Faced with criticism for allowing teenagers to obtain driver’s licenses without taking a road test, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a new order Tuesday requiring the tests.

While most trucking industry events have either been rescheduled or cancelled, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 2020 Operation Safe Driver Week will go on as scheduled, July 12-18.

While touchscreen infotainment systems have brought unprecedented levels of convenience to car owners, interacting with the digital displays is distracting drivers and could prove deadly due to slowed reaction times.

The defunct Washington Evening Star newspaper ran a series of punchy, illustrated columns called “Why Must They Die?” which brought the topic to the public and revealed assumptions behind traffic safety programs from that time.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the publication of its long-awaited final rule on changes to the hours of service (HOS) regulations.

Beginning this July, “Helen’s Law” will require private property owners to trim back or remove vegetation within five feet of the pavement if it blocks the view of drivers.

Efforts to emphasize seat belt use, the dangers of speeding, and greater motorcycle awareness are just some of the safety campaigns being initiated by state departments of transportation across the country.

During the annual meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Committee on Safety May 11-13, members discussed a number of ways to ensure a tight focus on improving traffic safety despite uncertainties created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the fall election season.

Less traffic during COVID-19 may not mean fewer fatalities. You would expect crashes, injuries, and fatalities would be significantly less than pre-COVID-19 times; but, that is not necessarily the case.

Fleet video telematics provider Lytx shared new insights about changes in driving risk tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated guidelines to help control the spread of the virus.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced that effective immediately it is making permanent a pilot program that will not count a crash in which a motor carrier was not at fault.

Stories of animals in car engines are nothing new, but with fewer people driving and NYT reporters apparently scanning Twitter for story ideas, it became obvious that there's been an increase in rodent in-vehicle habitation.

If we didn't remember (or appreciate enough) that the U.S. auto industry was the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II, what they're doing now brings that history sharply back into focus.

Fatalities in crashes involving at least one large truck are projected to have increased by 1% in 2019, while overall traffic fatalities are projected to see a decline.

Volvo Car AB is grappling with plant shutdowns and layoffs, but one thing it’s not doing amid the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is pumping the brakes on autonomous driving development

Whether you're driving alone late at night or picking the kids up from school, you've likely seen unsettling driving behavior that's made you wonder: "Am I sharing the road with a drunk driver?" Certain days are significantly more dangerous on the roads than the rest of the year.

The resident of Powell, Ohio, has been a safety advocate for Safe Delaware in Delaware County for the past nine years, her focus is on sober driving, seat belt awareness and distracted teen driving.

Global Youth Traffic Month every May brings the grim reminder that traffic crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for teens. Last year, nearly 2,500 young people in the U.S. died as a result of crashes

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that states can apply for funding to help drivers learn about and repair open safety recalls on their vehicles.

Motorcycle crashes involving another motor vehicle continue accounting for nearly half of all motorcyclist fatalities in the United States. Motorcyclists are inherently at more risk than motor vehicles.

While driving under the influence was once the major focus of safety on the road, distracted driving of all kinds has gained national attention in recent years. Texting and driving has proven to be the latest serious road hazard; it has cost a number of lives, and 42 states have developed laws and campaigns against it.

The year 2020 dawned with a severe hit by the ever-powerful tsunami of COVID-19. Now, no day goes by without a deluge of scary reports in daily newspapers, TV and radio describing in graphic details, the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is collaborating with stakeholders in the manufacturing, infrastructure owner-operator, and public safety communities to study challenging, dynamic scenarios involving automated driving systems, such as encounters with public safety providers. The team will also address ways to facilitate communications between these systems and their supporting physical infrastructure.

In just a few weeks during the coronavirus pandemic, carsharing has pivoted to a new business model to serve essential workers in healthcare, food service, and deliveries who don’t have reliable wheels or want to avoid the health risk of public transportation.

As the daily coronavirus death toll slowly falls in Italy and cities in the country make plans for reopening, Milan is beginning to transform 22 miles of local streets, adding temporary bike lanes and wider sidewalks, and lowering the speed limit.

Deaths from traffic violence have declined sharply because of the COVID-19 shutdown — and a new study shows that states and their residents are seeing a financial benefit.

Automakers and technology companies are coming out with features aimed at reducing injuries and deaths related to distracted driving. Edmunds experts have selected five new car technologies designed to reduce distraction and help make you a safer driver.

Under a new executive order given by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, teenagers within the Peach State will no longer need to pass a formal driving test in order to secure a driver's license. Instead they'll just have to get the 'A-okay' from their parents.

Fleet managers are being warned of the increased likelihood of distracted driving when drivers get behind the wheel again when the coronavirus pandemic lockdown eases.

Cities around the world are seeing dwindling numbers of fossil-fuel powered cars on their streets, and many are planning to keep it that way after lockdowns ease.

Although the number of traffic accidents has dropped dramatically in the DC region during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people dying in crashes has not fallen nearly as much and police say the reason involves speed.

Virginia DMV Highway Safety Office Director John Saunders said as of April 24, crashes overall in Virginia had decreased nearly 80 percent since Gov. Northam’s stay-at-home order went into effect in March but the number of fatal and non-fatal speed-related crashes increased compared to 2019.

An IBM survey of 14,000 people has found that people plan to use personal transportation more, while using public transit and ride-sharing services less, in the post-pandemic environment.

According to new studies, statewide lockdowns may be helping lower the number of traffic fatalities. Many states, such as Illinois and Michigan, reported the number of fatal crashes dropped 57 percent and 67 percent respectively due to less traffic on the roads.

As Americans remain at home, many roads in cities, suburbs and rural areas are practically deserted. But the absence of traffic is a seductive draw for one type of driver: speeders.
“People are saying, ‘Wow, the roads are wide open. There’s no one here but me,’” said Pam Shadel Fischer, a senior director at the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety offices. “We’re seeing incredibly crazy, off-the-chart speed and aggressiveness.”

The best way to drive safely during the pandemic is not to drive at all. But if you have to travel, several experts offered tips on how to make sure you and your loved ones get there and back safely.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) this week is joining transportation leaders around the country in reminding drivers that safety must always be top of mind when traveling through work zones.

Autonomous vehicles can speed up economic growth by improving issues with house affordability and mobility. However, it will come at the cost of more congestion on the roadways.

A parent’s most important job is to keep their children safe. Imagine then, hearing your elementary school aged child say to you, “Mom/Dad, I don’t feel safe when you drive me and look at your phone.” For many parents that would be incredibly upsetting.

Movement data pointed to an increase in vehicle activity on Easter Sunday in several U.S. counties. This revelation comes as many states urge residents to avoid nonessential travel to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Netradyne released findings from a recent online survey of commercial drivers that indicates commercial drivers feel safe but acknowledge they could be safer, and that AI-powered driving technology can be both beneficial and concerning. Conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by Netradyne, 350 commercial drivers over the age of 18 were questioned for the survey.

This resource page is dedicated to topics specific to the coronavirus and includes sections focuising on best practices, blogs, webinars, and all of the latest fleet news covering of the pandemic.

America's roads are a lot less congested, due to coronavirus shut downs that have kept millions of shoppers, commuters, and vacationers parked at their homes.

Each fleet has a DNA of sorts, which is comprised of the procedures and regulations that are codified in its corporate fleet policy. It is these policies that determine the type of fleet that is operated and its characteristics.

Even as populations are homebound and cities have been brought to something of a standstill around the globe, there are people and goods that need to move, and especially now they need to do so efficiently as well as safely.

From Los Angeles to New York, London and Berlin, coronavirus lockdowns have drained traffic from normally crowded roads. That has opened space for drivers who want to defy police warnings and automated traffic enforcement systems to go racing in the streets. In London and Los Angeles, police said they have clocked drivers zooming down streets at over 100 miles an hour(160 km/h).

Motorists on a typical weekday log roughly 200,000 trips on North Carolina’s Triangle Expressway in the Raleigh-Durham region, many of them commuters headed to the state’s Research Triangle Park. But on the first Monday in April, just 69,000 tolls were collected.

Almost 231,000 American bridges — more than a third of the nation's bridges — need repair or should be completely replaced, according to analysis of federal data by an infrastructure investment advocacy group.

As more states issue stay-at-home orders, businesses shutter and employees work remotely where possible during the coronavirus pandemic, data shows that the U.S. is seeing an unprecedented reduction in traffic levels.

“I’m 51 and healthy, but I don’t want to get on the subway,” said John Donohue, a Brooklyn-based artist who bought a bike two weeks ago. Donohue, who doesn’t own a car, says he’s not sure when he’ll be comfortable on mass transit again.

State departments of transportation across the country are grappling with a growing safety issue related to the start of National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) on April 20: more frequent incidences of speeding due to reduced traffic volumes resulting from COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

Something like 42,000 lives could be saved and 150,000 serious injuries prevented by 2030 if all new cars in G20 countries were required to have electronic stability control (ESC), an inexpensive crash avoidance technology, starting this year.

Traffic around the country has plummeted since governments began enacting stay-at-home ­orders amid the coronavirus outbreak, but data from vehicle navigation systems and other monitors shows many of us are still out of our homes and on the road.

As rush hours all but disappeared in major U.S. cities last month, travel speeds on major roadways rose dramatically during Friday evening and morning commutes, according to data from Inrix, a Kirkland, Wash.-based traffic analytics company.

The COVID-19 pandemic has totally disoriented how fleet professionals are managing their operations. Uncertainty about how long the coronavirus will last is making it difficult for fleets to know how to address their future, though there are practices that fleets can implement today that are aimed at helping them and their fleets move forward.

For the past decade, April has marked National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This year, however, many organizations involved in spreading awareness are postponing their campaigns to a later date due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Uber and Lyft are a convenient way to get around town and get home after a night of bar-hopping, but crashes involving cars and pedestrians haven't decreased, a new study finds.

Upgrading the nation’s infrastructure is important to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, including assurance that rural areas receive equal treatment relative to metropolitan areas when funds are distributed.

As truckers help supply the nation with essential products during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virginia DMV is planning to help support them by making most of Virginia's weigh stations rest areas for the time-being.

The COVID-19 virus has continued to spread, and fleet organizations nationwide are reacting. Here’s how a few public fleet organizations are handling the crisis.

Boston, Minneapolis, Oakland and other cities have temporarily banned through traffic on streets, giving pedestrians and cyclists extra elbow room during the coronavirus pandemic.

Being careful behind the wheel is always paramount, but during the current global public health crisis, road safety experts say it’s more essential than ever. Buckling-up, observing speed limits, putting down the cell phone and not driving while under the influence are among the behaviors that can help save the lives of drivers and their passengers and reduce the impact of Covid-19.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has developed a simulation system to train driverless vehicles how to navigate a host of “worse-case scenarios” before cruising down real streets.

In-cab recording technology is often viewed negatively by drivers because they feel “Big Brother” is watching. What can fleet managers and/or owners do to change drivers’ perspectives and get them on board?

The US is counting on truck drivers to help ensure shelves remain stocked as Americans load up on things like toilet paper and canned goods amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A city’s walkability contributes to improved health outcomes for residents, lower crime rates and increased civic engagement. Governments can use data and artificial intelligence to improve their streets for pedestrians.

University of Minnesota researchers have developed an app to warn senior drivers when they are engaging in risky maneuvers and help them pay better attention while behind the wheel.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month, held each April, has been temporarily suspended due to the current coronavirus pandemic, the nonprofit advocacy group said. However, two new studies released in advance of the previously scheduled observance shed light on how states are regulating and enforcing distracted driving.

The Virginia Department of Transportation shared some transportation-related activity pages for kids to color while at home to help keep them engaged.

For the approximately 270 million Americans who are socially isolating because of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a silver lining to the reduced travel on the road: fewer car crashes.

NHTSA to study Automated Driving Systems (ADS) that lack the traditional manual controls necessary for human drivers, but that are otherwise traditional vehicles with typical seating configurations.

A landmark study analysing truck driver performance behind the wheel has provided a world-first window into fatigue and distraction among truck drivers.

Drive Safe Hampton Roads recently recognized 32 local high schools for their participation in the Get It Together Seat Belt Challenge.
Thanks to students’ efforts, seat belt use by teens increased nine points from the Challenge’s starting baseline percentage, making it 89 percent.

Hyundai Mobis said Sunday it has developed a radar-based rear occupant alert system and will introduce it in a number of global carmakers' new vehicles. The rear occupant alert system is aimed at reminding the driver to check the rear seats when exiting the vehicle.

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is wreaking horrifying havoc on every aspect of our interconnected world. Its impact has been particularly notable in the transportation sector.

Flashing LED lights embedded into pavements could improve the safety of pedestrians distracted by their phones, says Australia’s Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

Around 120 stops a day, 120 to 140 miles a day and 500 to 700 miles a week.
That’s how far Ron Mackensen, a Port Huron UPS driver, travels for his job, and for 30 years he has driven crash free.

With the efficient movement of freight now a national priority during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has decided to postpone its annual International Roadcheck inspection blitz in 2020.

With the majority of Californians being urged to stay home as much as possible amid the coronavirus outbreak, life is changing rapidly across the state.
Many places are less crowded, including the notoriously clogged freeways. Traffic conditions are so light, in fact, speeding during rush hour is now possible.

To keep the nation’s transportation network functioning in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic, state departments of transportation across the country are engaging in broad array of operational efforts, from expanding overweight truck permits and keeping rest areas open to keeping infrastructure projects on track.

The coronavirus pandemic is leading to reduced highway traffic on American roadways in certain major metropolitan areas as many people begin to telecommute and avoid social interaction.
Congestion is easing in places like New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco, according to traffic figures provided exclusively to USA TODAY by HERE Technologies, a location data and technology company with more than 9,000 employees.

Shortly after issuing a nationwide Hours of Service regulation waiver for truckers hauling Coronavirus relief supplies, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) took a moment to thank the men and women of the trucking industry for coming to the aid of a nation in crisis.

There are three components that make up fleet safety, which includes drivers, vehicles, and policy. The third component, fleet policy, should make some consideration to fleet safety.

Historic first step for the agency to remove unnecessary barriers to motor vehicles equipped with automated driving systems

There are three key elements to fleet safety: drivers, vehicles, and policy. Each brings different challenges for fleet managers, primarily in determining what actionable data is needed, where it is, how it can be captured, and what to do with it.

Some drivers are spending more hours on the road delivering emergency supplies because of lifted restrictions, however now, as more counties shut down dine in restaurants they have less places to rest and get food.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today issued an expanded national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to the nationwide coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

While there are many offices that are closing down their physical locations and directing their employees to work remotely, there are still many fleet drivers that are out on the road.

Across the United States, the nation's 3.5 million professional truckers are working flat-out to keep stores and businesses stocked as consumers worry about riding out home quarantines prompted by the coronavirus outbreak and try to snap up enough toilet paper, rice, beans, tuna and other staples to get through this period of uncertainty.

As anyone who has ventured out on the highways in the last few days has noticed, the coronavirus pandemic has reduced traffic volumes.

So-called Level 2, or partially automated driving technology, such as Tesla's Autopilot and Cadillac's Super Cruise can control acceleration, braking and steering, among other tasks. But the systems available on vehicles today don't replace an attentive driver with eyes on the road.

No matter how technologically advanced a vehicle might be, fleet safety begins with the driver. Beginning with the hiring process and ongoing throughout a driver’s employment, fleet managers have been challenged not only to make certain drivers are safe, but to assess driver performance, and, ultimately, manage risk.

It appears lack of control remains an issue that keeps Americans wary when it comes to safety and self-driving cars. In fact, 72% said they would feel safer riding in a self-diving vehicle if they had the ability to take over control if something were to go awry.

Fatal car crashes in the U.S. spike by 6% during the workweek following the daylight saving time change, resulting in about 28 additional deaths every year, according to a study.

Susan Moses was biking home from getting a manicure when a Lyft driver slammed into her a few blocks from her Brooklyn apartment. She died in a hospital a week later.

Through the program, troopers use handheld scanners to scan driver’s licenses and vehicle registration forms instead of handwriting information. That means less time spent completing citations, warnings, and collision investigations.
Another perk is that the accuracy of the data improves.

With thousands of motorists passing through Central Garage, going to and from work every day, it is no surprise crashes occur. But, in the past five years, the number of crashes has dropped significantly. While there is no clear reason for the drop, there could be multiple contributing factors.

ile drivers are the final stop in managing risk, evolving vehicle technology has played a big role in risk management as well. The in-vehicle technology that we have now has come a long way, many vehicles now come with semi-autonomous functions as standard features, but it all began with seat belts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has issued a set of research-based safety recommendations on the design of partially automated driving systems. The guidelines emphasize how to keep drivers focused on the road even as the vehicle does more of the work.

It's no secret that American roads are becoming increasingly dangerous. More so than ever before, it has become a treacherous, dangerous drive each time an American citizen heads onto the roads and freeways.

Fatigue behind the wheel can be deadly, and in response manufacturers are launching more and more wearable technologies to alert drowsy drivers, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Vision Zero is a program that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries. It was first implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, and in the past five years, at least 40 communities in the U.S. have joined the program, according to Leah Shahum, executive director of the Vision Zero Network.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian and two vehicles.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is planning a Safety Summit on March 19 for motor carriers, drivers, safety technology developers and users, federal and state partners, and safety advocate groups to share ideas on improving truck safety.

If you really want to make trucks safer, you need to have a better understanding of what happens to the truck when it is in an crash, according to Anna Wrige Berling, traffic and control product safety director, Volvo Trucks. “[Volvo’s] Crash Research Team (ART) provides knowledge from real life. Volvo’s safety requirements are based on what we have learned in the field,” she says.

The number-one cause of workplace death is car crashes, according to the National Safety Council. Driver inattention is a big factor leading to crashes, and a preventable one.

The time when teenagers get behind the wheel is perhaps the most harrowing of parenthood. My kids are still years away from this, but I’m already hoping self-driving cars will be ubiquitous by then. Until that happens, parents have another option: monitoring their teens’ road smarts—or lack thereof—through apps.

Marie Snodgrass is still getting used to seeing her oldest son behind a steering wheel after he recently started driver’s training. But her most nerve-racking experience as the parent of a teen came two years earlier — the first time her high schooler rode with another teen driver.

The thing about traffic is that while you're in it, it's an immediate annoyance. You have somewhere to be. You just want to get home after a long day at work. You have to pee really badly -- whatever. That immediacy makes it easy to lose track of just how much of an impact on you it actually has in the grand scheme of things.

As Virginia residents prepare to travel the state’s scenic highways following the winter months, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is offering two words of advice to help motorists avoid collisions and potentially fatal crashes with motorcyclists: Look twice.

As vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists continue to occur with alarming frequency, law enforcement agencies in the Richmond region and other partners are urging travelers to take simple precautions and to avoid distractions, such as mobile phones and headphones.

As manufacturers and technology developers introduce electric-powered trucks and continue to test automated driving systems, the Technology & Maintenance Council is taking steps to help fleets navigate the complexity of these emerging technologies.

When it comes to advanced driver assistance technology (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking or adaptive cruise control, there is both good news and bad news. The good news is nearly 30 percent of all roadway crashes might be eliminated if consumers widely adopted, and properly used, currently available ADAS features. Over 90% of new vehicles available today offer at least one ADAS system.

A former security officer in Chesterfield County who lost both of his legs in a distracted-driving crash nearly six years ago is making his way back into law enforcement.
Brad Hughes is now a proud deputy with the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that Tesla’s Autopilot driver assistance system was one of the probable causes of a fatal 2018 crash into a concrete barrier. In addition, the safety board said the driver was playing a mobile game while using Autopilot before the crash, and investigators also determined he was overly confident in Autopilot’s capabilities.

Every company has a corporate culture and if you drill down the corporate strata, every department likewise has its own culture that embodies the management philosophy of the department manager. Fleet is no exception and the fleet manager plays an important role in determining fleet culture, which influences its policies, attitudes, and interactions with user groups, individual drivers, and management.

A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) predicts that 6,590 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2019, the highest number in more than 30 years.

There are two statistics about London that suggest that the city is struggling with the modern world. The first is that every year 9,500 Londoners are killed by air pollution. The second is that traffic travelling through central London moves at an average of 7mph, slower than the late Victorians did in a horse and carriage.

Fairfax County Police Chief Ed Roessler visited Fox 5 to raise awareness about teen driving safety.

Thanks to cooperation and hard work, both houses of the General Assembly have now given their approval to a commonsense and overdue measure to ban holding a cellphone while driving a motor vehicle in Virginia.

The afternoon light was fading, rush-hour drivers were honking, and the pedestrian signal indicated we had just 18 seconds to scramble across five lanes of traffic, but I just … could … not get my toddler’s stroller over the knee-high pile of grimy snow blocking the curb ramp.

Only six out of 156 2020 vehicle models that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated so far come equipped with good-rated headlights, indicating a continued need to push automakers to make headlight safety a priority.

Cars are one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions today. If more people use public transportation, these emissions will be reduced drastically. In a partnership with Dominion Energy, Fairfax County is slated to get the first electric, autonomous shuttle bus in Virginia.

Police are handing out seat belt covers that could put parents of some special needs children and young adults at ease. The covers help first responders at the scene of an emergency on the road identify if a person in the vehicle is on the autism spectrum.

Stateline found that more than 1,620 school children in 38 states have been placed in harm’s way since 2015 by school bus drivers arrested or cited for allegedly driving while impaired.

Many more vehicles are available with headlights that illuminate an acceptable distance ahead without blinding oncoming drivers in 2020 than in previous years. Yet base models with headlights that earn a good rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety remain rare.

Researchers analyzed motor vehicle accident statistics involving adolescents in Fairfax County, Virginia, for two school years before and after the implementation of later school start times. Results show that the crash rate in 16-to-18-year-old licensed drivers decreased significantly.

The private company that runs Virginia's Express Lanes has launched an app that allows for mobile payment of tolls.
Transurban says its new GoToll app is ideal for people who occasionally use Virginia's toll roads but don't have an E-Z Pass transponder installed in their car.

There are countless distractions on and off the road. Many drivers may not be aware of how dangerous each one can be. That’s why more and more companies are using dash cams to help capture, identify, and address distracted driving.

Over the years I’ve met many fleet professionals who are extremely knowledgeable about fleet safety. Yet, I’m always surprised how many don’t regard themselves to be involved in fleet risk management. Effective driver safety is fleet risk management. And, it’s time for them to be recognized as part of the same mission.

Researchers in Ruckersville, Virginia, a small, rural community north of Charlottesville, are putting pressure on automakers, leading them to improve the safety features that could save you and your family in a high-speed crash.

New research issued by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety on February 18 finds that older male adults who give up driving are facing “lower levels of social support” when it comes to advice, suggestions, and information regarding alternative transportation options.

An autonomous car in Arizona was involved in a fatal crash. Permits for pilot projects in the autonomous vehicle space have been revoked. Automaker executives are sharply revising their forecasts—extending the timeline—for autonomous cars to hit the retail market in significant numbers.

A new study claims the Commonwealth of Virginia has the rudest drivers in the country, stating the number of rude drivers in the state is 64 percent higher than the national average.

From public transport to cycling, sustainable transport is on course to overtake driving in the world’s biggest cities within a decade, according to a study released on Monday.

Transportation-related fatalities – which rose slightly to 2,080 from 2,077 in 2017 – accounted for 40% of all fatal work-related injuries.

“In 2020 and beyond, we anticipate fleet safety will remain top of mind for every transportation company and in turn, technology innovation to support these safety initiatives will be more important than ever,” said Eleanor Horowitz, safety product marketing manager of Samsara.

Researchers in Ruckersville -- a small, rural community in Green County, north of Charlottesville -- are putting pressure on automakers, leading them to improve the safety features that could save you and your family in a high-speed crash.

To earn the highest safety honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it's no longer good enough for vehicles to protect people inside the vehicle.
They must also protect people outside the vehicle.
For the first time, IIHS is requiring automakers to offer pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking systems to receive the group's 2020 Top Safety Pick+ or Top Safety Pick honors.

A Texas family has filed a lawsuit against Energy Transfer Partners, a company whose truck driver was allegedly watching a video on his phone when he hit and killed their son.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs and eight other national fire service organizations are urging drivers to exercise extra caution when approaching emergency vehicles and respect move over laws.

The Virginia General Assembly has the opportunity this session, after recent failed attempts, to reduce a leading cause of fatal unintentional injuries within motor vehicle crashes.

The day you thought would never arrive, has come. With wide eyes and a sweaty brow, you listen as your teen tells you how excited they are to get behind the wheel of the family car. (Gulp)

Police say the driver in the crash involving a Virginia State Trooper has been charged. On Sunday, Feb. 16, at 11:53 a.m. a Virginia State Police Trooper was on a traffic stop with a BMW Sedan, eastbound Route 3 at Dahlgren Road on the right-hand portion of the turn lane.

Road safety advocates are hopeful that 2020 will be the year Virginia requires drivers to put down their phones. For the past two years, despite bipartisan support from lawmakers and the governor, similar distracted driving measures came unraveled in the final days of the General Assembly’s session.