Autoblog

Anthony Foxx nominated by Obama to be next Transportation Secretary [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

Anthony Foxx, labeled by President Obama as "one of the most effective mayors Charlotte [North Carolina] has ever seen," has been nominated by the President to be the next Secretary of Transportation. Foxx would take over for Ray LaHood, who announced that he would be stepping down a few months ago.

President Obama had only positive things to say about Mr. LaHood, who had previously served in Congress as a Republican, calling him "a model for the kind of bipartisan approach to governance I think we need so badly in this town." Foxx had been a Democrat, but said during the nomination speech, "There is no such thing as a Democratic or Republican road, bridge, port, airfield or rail system."

Scroll down below to see a video from CBS News highlighting Obama's announcement and Foxx's acceptance.

Continue reading Anthony Foxx nominated by Obama to be next Transportation Secretary [w/video]

Anthony Foxx nominated by Obama to be next Transportation Secretary [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA releases voluntary guidelines to combat distracted driving

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Infotainment

In its continuing battle against distracted driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued voluntary guidelines covering the use of in-car infotainment and communication devices. It is NHTSA's intention that the proposals, which have been in the works for a year and are partly based on a 2010 study called "Impact of Hand-Held and Hands-Free Cell Phone Use on Driving Performance and Safety Critical Event Risk," will be phased in over the next three years. That would give automakers time to reconfigure their systems to comply.

Proposed items include disabling manual text entry, video-based entertainment and video phone calls and prohibiting the display of text messages, social media or web pages while the car is in motion or in gear. The objective is to keep the driver's eyes off the road for no more than two seconds at a time, and 12 seconds in total. That 12-second limit would be achieved by only allowing a driver six inputs or touches of the screen within a dozen seconds, but it would include activities beyond phone calls and nav inputs, like changing the radio station or using the climate control. At the moment, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has a self-imposed limit of 20 seconds, although we're not sure how that's enforced by the infotainment system.

Calling distracted driving "a deadly epidemic," NHTSA says that it is trying to "balance the innovation consumers want with the safety we all need." The study showed that activities like using hand-held phones potentially tripled the risk of a crash and texting doubled the risk of a crash or near-crash. Distracted drivers accounted for about a third of all accident fatalities in 2011, a rise over 2010, but injuries are down, as are the number of crashes related to phone use.

According to a report in Automotive News, when the proposals are fully implemented, NHTSA is also considering adding them the the New Car Assessment Program, which would encourage automakers to comply if they want a five-star safety rating.

Continue reading NHTSA releases voluntary guidelines to combat distracted driving

NHTSA releases voluntary guidelines to combat distracted driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stepping down

John Neff — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has announced that he will not serve a second term in President Obama's Cabinet, but will stay on until a successor is confirmed. Of his and the Department of Transportation's many initiatives, the one LaHood will perhaps be remembered for most is his efforts to reduce distracted driving, particularly the dangers of texting while driving. Secretary LaHood even addressed Autoblog readers directly about the subject back in 2010.

Before becoming Transportation Secretary, LaHood was a member of the House of Representatives representing the 18th district of Illinois and served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Well known as a champion of bipartisan cooperation, LaHood was one of two Republicans appointed to the President's Cabinet in 2008, the other being Robert Gates as US Secretary of Defense.

Scroll down to read an email sent by LaHood to Department of Transportation employees announcing his plans.

Continue reading Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stepping down

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stepping down originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Move to mandate rearview cameras could boost car prices by $200

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

It looks like we don't have much longer to wait to find out if rearview cameras will become the next safety device to become standard on new cars. Ray LaHood and the US Department of Transportation could put this legislation to the vote by the end of the month to require all new vehicles in 2014 to be equipped with cameras in an effort to make cars safer. LaHood delayed this vote back in February.

According to The Detroit News, adding such a camera would cost up to $203 to install on vehicles without an appropriate display screen and up to $88 for cars that already have a useable display. This relatively small cost could help reduce the number of people backed over each year, which accounts for around 300 deaths (including 100 children under the age of five) and injure close to 16,000 people annually.

If passed, backup cameras would join features such as airbags, electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring systems as recently added standard safety equipment.

Move to mandate rearview cameras could boost car prices by $200 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Transportation Dept. gives $550k to study texting-ban enforcement

George Kennedy — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

So far, 39 states have some form of law against texting while driving, but it is a hard thing to enforce. Many drivers continue to text on the road, confident that the local smokies won't spot their sins.

That time might be over for Massachusetts and Connecticut, as the National highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded $550,000 in order to develop methods to better spot texters in the act. Each state will receive $275,000 to conduct "high visibility anti-texting enforcement programs."

According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, "We have come a long way in our fight against distracted driving, but there is still much more work to be done." He continued, "Texting behind the wheel is especially dangerous, which is why we're working with states like Connecticut and Massachusetts to address this important safety issue."

While laws are in effect across the country, it is more difficult to detect texting than it is a driver placing a call on a cell phone. This initiative from NHTSA would develop techniques, such as spotters on overpasses and roving patrols, to determine the effectiveness of these practices. The program will be conducted over a two-year period, and the results will be made available to other states that are encountering texting and driving issues. Read more in the press release below.

Continue reading Transportation Dept. gives $550k to study texting-ban enforcement

Transportation Dept. gives $550k to study texting-ban enforcement originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for model year 2017-2025 cars to 54.5 miles per gallon was first proposed in July 2011. Since then, there has been a lot of back and forth, a lot of positive and negative responses, and, lately, a delay for unknown reasons. Since the CAFE rules were not changed between the mid-1980s and when President Obama came into office and rules for 2012-2016 model year vehicles were put in place in 2010, it's not a huge surprise this update took so long. That's all over now.

Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson announced the official finalization of new federal fuel efficiency standards in a Tuesday conference call. Some headline numbers from the call:

The reduced fuel use will save American families over $1.7 trillion dollars in fuel costs.
Vehicles on American roads will use two million barrels of oil less per day by 2025, "as much as half of the oil we import from OPEC each day."
More efficient cars will be more expensive, but LaHood said that the buyers can expect average fuel savings of $8,000 per vehicle (over the life of the vehicle) for a 2025 model year car compared to a similar vehicle from 2010, using today's prices. That's equivalent to gas being a dollar a gallon cheaper.
You like lower emissions? The new standards will "reduc[e] emissions by 6 billion metric tons over the life of the program - more than the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the United States in 2010."

We've heard a lot of those numbers before, but there were some items in the press release (not addressed on the call) that caught our eye. Specifically:

The program also includes targeted incentives to encourage early adoption and introduction into the marketplace of advanced technologies to dramatically improve vehicle performance, including:
Incentives for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cells vehicles;
Incentives for hybrid technologies for large pickups and for other technologies that achieve high fuel economy levels on large pickups;
Incentives for natural gas vehicles;
Credits for technologies with potential to achieve real-world greenhouse gas reductions and fuel economy improvements that are not captured by the standards test procedures.

We don't know how these incentives stack (or don't) with current incentives or if they're just the ones already in place, but we've put in a call to the EPA to find out. We'll let you know when we hear back. A sample of early responses to the official rules - all positive, so far - is available below.

Continue reading New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper

New CAFE rules officially finalized; 54.5 mpg is like making gas $1/gallon cheaper originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House Republicans urge White House to delay 2017-2025 fuel economy standards

George Kennedy — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

Representatives from the Republican Party have asked President Obama to delay pushing through strict new automotive fuel economy regulations. The trio of top GOP legislators consists of auto dealer Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Jim Jordan (also of PA) and House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa of California (pictured). The three legislators are calling for further review of the 2017-2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy targets. According to a report by The Detroit News, Issa says "Higher fuel efficiency standards is a goal I share - but not at the expense of consumer safety."

As the report notes, a deal was struck last summer that would actually lower fuel economy increases from 2017-2021 of 3.5 percent annually for light trucks and five percent every year for cars. Part of this pact stipulated a mid-term review to confirm that reaching these goals was even possible.

The National High Traffic Safety Administration, along with the Environmental Protection Agency decided not to meet a self-imposed Wednesday deadline for finalization of the new rules. NHTSA head David Strickland has said that the new regulations will be announced in "days, not weeks," while one House Republican has suggested that the White House may be having misgivings about pushing the legislation through now.

It is said that the new standards will cost the auto industry $157.3 billion, but could eventually result in $1.7 trillion in savings for consumers on fuel expenditures. Unfortunately, the new standards could also mean an additional $2,000 to the price of the average automobile by 2025. According to Representative Kelly, "the new CAFE standards will limit choice, compromise safety, and increase costs to millions of Americans..."

The issue may be out of their control, however, as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood noted in a recent interview that the legislation is "... coming soon. We're working with the White House and the EPA to roll it out."

House Republicans urge White House to delay 2017-2025 fuel economy standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Distracted driving scourge a repeat of 1930?

Scott Burgess — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Infotainment

The more things change, the more they stay the same. According to a report at carinsurance.com, Department of Transportation chief Ray LaHood isn't the first person to take on distracted driving.

In 1930, George A. Packer, then the Massachusetts registrar of motor vehicles, wanted the state to ban "newfangled" radios that were beginning to come with the cars. Radios, Packer argued, were dangerous because of the distractions they caused. Motorists would have to take their hands off the wheel to adjust the volume or search for a new station. Soft music at night might lull drivers to sleep. Louder music might even distract drivers in other vehicles.

Massachusetts even held a hearing on the dangers of the radio in motor cars, but, ultimately, Packer's efforts failed.

LaHood has fared better with his campaign against texting and general distracted driving, carinsurance.com points out. So far, 39 states have banned texting while driving and 10 states have banned operating a handheld phone behind the wheel. More bans are likely. And that may not be a good thing.

Distracted driving scourge a repeat of 1930? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DOT releases Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving

Scott Burgess — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

Everyone needs a plan, and now Ray LaHood and his people at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have released their Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving.

The blueprint calls for:

Getting the last 11 holdout states to pass laws banning distracted driving.
Challenge the auto industry to not provide vehicle content that the government considers distracting.
Educate young people about the perils of distracted driving.
Continue a public education campaign that "Provides all stakeholders with actions they can take that go beyond personal responsibility to helping end distracted driving nationwide."

Additionally, the government agency's blueprint announces pilot programs in California and Delaware to provide each with $2.4 million for increased law enforcement on distracted driving and create a public campaign reminding motorists that distracted driving is dangerous.

According to NHTSA, 3,092 motorists were killed in "distraction-affected crashes" in 2010.

DOT releases Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gov't unsure on who can establish distracted driving laws

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

Turns out the federal government's attempts to create enforceable oversight of cellphone use in vehicles has hit a Swiftian snag: it seems there isn't a government agency specifically empowered with the authority to do so. The legislative boundaries of the Federal Communications Commission end at the phone itself, those of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration end at the vehicle itself. Neither is equipped to address how people combine the two while driving.

So, according to a report in Automotive News, what NHTSA honcho David Strickland wants is to have Congress bestow the authority on some agency to make such laws. For now, the recommendations NHTSA drafts are only just that - recommendations. Automakers aren't bound by them.

Not that it should or will stop Strickland's minions, but 37 states and our nation's capital already have laws - with teeth - addressing the use of phones while driving. If our time on the roads is any indication, those laws are almost universally ignored by police, and we can't see how a federal fiat would change that, but such laws are on the books. Strickland has testified in front of Congress on the matter, however, no one expects movement on it anytime soon.

Gov't unsure on who can establish distracted driving laws originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA wants Brake-Throttle Override systems added to official Safety Standards

Zach Bowman — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:21:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced plans to update the agency's current vehicle safety standards. In order to protect drivers in the event they depress both the accelerator and the brake pedal at the same time, automakers will be required to install a bake-throttle override on new vehicles moving forward. The hope is that the systems will curb instances of unintended acceleration. The new standards will apply on all cars, trucks and buses regardless of weight. NHTSA says many manufacturers are already including similar systems on their products.

The update will replace Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124, Accelerator Control Systems. The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed change, which may be viewed in full PDF form here.

Early last year, NASA engineers found no electronic cause for the claims of unintended acceleration levied at Toyota. The report prompted Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to blame the cases on "pedal misapplication." Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading NHTSA wants Brake-Throttle Override systems added to official Safety Standards

NHTSA wants Brake-Throttle Override systems added to official Safety Standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DOT proposes distracted driving guidelines for automakers

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Infotainment

Distracted driving is a topic that's on everybody's minds these days, and for good reason. Every new car and truck sold today is packed with more technology than every before, from touchscreen LCDs that offer myriad audio and infotainment options to voice-controlled applications and various forms of smartphone integration.

It comes as little surprise, then, that U.S. Department of Transportation head Ray LaHood has announced a new set of proposed distracted driving guidelines for automakers that would limit the use of in-car tech solutions that are "not directly relevant to safely operating the vehicle, or cause undue distraction by engaging the driver's eyes or hands for more than a very limited duration while driving."

Specifically, DOT is recommending that automakers not introduce technology packages that require both hands to operate or that could take a driver's eyes from the road for more than two seconds. Further, DOT wants technologies that require detailed input from the driver to be disabled while the car is out of park. That would include text messaging and internet browsing along with such tasks as address entry into navigation systems and manual phone dialing.

Future guidelines may include recommendations to manufacturers of aftermarket devices like smartphones, portable GPS units and tablet computers. It's important to note that these guidelines are recommendations, not mandates. Feel free to read the entire press release, which includes specific guidelines, after the break. The public will have 60 days to comment on this proposal before final guidelines are drafted.

Continue reading DOT proposes distracted driving guidelines for automakers

DOT proposes distracted driving guidelines for automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA says White House didn't factor in Chevy Volt fire disclosure

Zach Bowman — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Safety, Chevrolet, Electric

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has confirmed the Obama administration didn't ask the government agency to delay announcing potential safety issues with the Chevrolet Volt. According to The Detroit News, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was briefed about Volt fires that occurred after two crash tests in September, three months after the first extended-range hybrid began smoldering. According to the report, the office of the president was then informed of the fires shortly thereafter, as well as being notified of NHTSA's intent to investigate whether the results of the tests could be replicated.

The Detroit News quotes NHTSA administrator David Strickland as saying no one within the office of the president "requested or in any way suggested that NHTSA delay public release of information related to the Volt fire."

That seems to be a fairly definitive answer to the three house Republicans who asked General Motors and the Obama administration whether the White House had called for any delay in publicly disclosing the Volt fires. A House panel plans to undertake a hearing on the Volt controversy later this month.

NHTSA says White House didn't factor in Chevy Volt fire disclosure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Even LaHood thinks the NTSB mobile electronics ban is flawed [w/poll]

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

When Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood thinks a ban on drivers using electronic devices is a flawed, you know it's a bad idea. But that's exactly what the Good Secretary told David Shepardson of the Detroit News during a recent interview.

Citing the recent recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to impose a nationwide ban on mobile phone use while driving, LaHood makes it clear that "the problem is not hands-free."

Although LaHood has made it a priority to shine a spotlight on distracted driving in the U.S., even he sees the flawed logic in the NTSB's recommendation. Texting, emailing and updating social networks is one thing, but an outright ban on mobile phone use in the car is obviously a step too far.

Still, LaHood extends an olive branch to NTSB chairwoman Debbie Hersman, saying, "Anybody that wants to join the chorus against distracted driving, welcome aboard," but continuing that "If other people want to work on hands-free, so be it."

View Poll

Even LaHood thinks the NTSB mobile electronics ban is flawed [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fed nixes costly mandatory street sign replacement program

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

If your nearest stop sign is looking a little worse for the wear, you should reach out and let your local government know. Up until recently, that sign was one of the hundreds of thousands that were set to be replaced by 2018, according to a mandate formerly on the books. Now, however, the Obama administration is getting rid of that rule so that local governments can decide if and when a sign needs to replaced.

According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and representatives from nearly all 50 states, the mandated 2018 sign swapping would've cost millions of dollars that didn't need to be spent. Local governments can better determine when a sign needs to be changed, and it makes more sense for the move to be handled this way then by a random point in the future. It also saves everyone a lot of dough.

The state of Minnesota would need to spend anywhere from $55 to $75 million to hit the 2018 deadline, for example. Delaware would fork over $60 million, while the New York City on its own would spend millions of dollars and require 12 to 16 years just to complete the project. That would put the city while behind the 2018 deadline.

The federal government heard the cries, and it's listened. 46 of the proposed deadlines have been eliminated. 12, however are remaining active because they are deemed crucial to public safety. Examples of this important intersections include railroad crossings without flashing lights and one-way signs wherever necessary.

Fed nixes costly mandatory street sign replacement program originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Secretary LaHood says plug-in vehicle point-of-purchase rebates could replace tax credits in 2012

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 19 May 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials, Electric

Back in February, President Obama proposed changing the credit for plug-in vehicles over to a point-of-purchase rebate, a move that would likely speed up the $7,500 payment. Under the proposal, dealers would reduce the sticker price of eligible plug-in vehicles and apply for reimbursement from the government.

Well, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Congress will consider the proposed plug-in point-of-purchase rebate as part of changes to U.S. tax and energy policy for 2012. LaHood, who was touring Nissan's Smyrna, TN facility on Tuesday, told those in attendance:

We're doing a lot of talking about it. When you give people that incentive to buy a battery-powered car, they'll do it. We know these incentives help.

Under current policy, consumers who buy qualifying vehicles like the Nissan Leaf or the Chevrolet Volt receive a $7,500 credit when they file their federal income tax returns. LaHood says that the Obama Administration firmly believes that allowing dealers to handle the incentive as an immediate rebate will entice consumers and, hopefully, convince them to buy plug-in vehicles.

Secretary LaHood says plug-in vehicle point-of-purchase rebates could replace tax credits in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LaHood details new tour bus safety measures

Chris Shunk — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:10:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety, Work

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced new tour bus safety measures that could make it a lot more difficult for companies to operate their fleets in an unsafe manner. Among the sweeping changes are a requirement for tour bus companies to pass a safety audit before receiving permission to operate. The audit will include a safety exam of both the drivers and vehicles, in addition to an interview with the owners of the company. Current laws permit companies to operate for up to 18 months without a safety evaluation.

The federal agency also finalized a proposal to tighten requirements for offering a commercial driver's license. The new license can be obtained only after obtaining a learner's permit, and all states issuing the test will need to use a federal testing system.

While the new operating and testing procedures will help ensure the safety of the estimated 700 million passengers who utilize tour buses every year, several bus safety standards have still not been announced. The Transportation Department is hoping to add requirements that new buses have seat belts and stronger roofs and windows to prevent passengers from being ejected in a roll-over accident.

The renewed interest in tour bus safety came after a string of accidents, including a March 12 crash in New York that lead to the death of 15 passengers. The bus, which was traveling at the maximum speed of 78 miles per hour, fell off an elevated highway and hit a utility pole.

LaHood details new tour bus safety measures originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opinion: If distracted driving is such an epidemic, why don't statistics show it?

Paul Eisenstein — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Declining Highway Death Rate Challenges Distracted Driving Fears

The distracted driving debate is being marred by an overdose of hype and hysteria.

My weekend nearly got off to a disastrous start when a driver, busy texting, suddenly realized he was going to miss his exit. At the last possible moment, he slammed his brakes and surged across four lanes of traffic, avoiding the need to go a few miles out of the way - but nearly touching off a multi-car accident in the process.

We've all seen the texters, the women putting on makeup, the guys checking their sports scores. Heck, a woman in Florida recently crashed while giving herself a bikini shave. But are we experiencing, as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood puts it, "a deadly epidemic" of distracted driving - one that can only be addressed by the most draconian of new laws?

There's no question that there are some things you just shouldn't be doing behind the wheel, and few would argue against the laws that many states have passed prohibiting motorists from texting while driving. But what other steps are needed? The latest federal data on highway fatalities suggests we've probably gone far enough - and that the distracted driving debate is being marred by an overdose of hype and hysteria.

Continue reading...

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

[Image: Corbis]

Continue reading Opinion: If distracted driving is such an epidemic, why don't statistics show it?

Opinion: If distracted driving is such an epidemic, why don't statistics show it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. D.O.T. says 2010 traffic fatalities lowest they've ever been

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that traffic deaths in 2010 were the lowest they've ever been, falling three percent from 2009's record low. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration projections, traffic fatalities fell from 33,808 in 2009 to 32,708 in 2010.

The Department of Transportation and NHTSA see the news as evidence that their public awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws nationwide are working. According to NHTSA, traffic fatalities have steadily dropped in the last five years, falling 25 percent since 2005.

Specifically, the DOT and NHTSA cited programs like Over the Limit, Under Arrest, Click-it or Ticket and LaHood's anti-distracted driving campaign as contributing factors to the drop in fatalities.

The biggest regional drop was in the Pacific Northwest, where fatalities plummeted 12 percent from last year. Arizona, California and Hawaii tied for second, each dropping 11 percent over 2009.

While we applaud most of the campaigns championed by NHTSA and the DOT, we can't help but think that there are probably some larger factors at work here - namely, that Americans are motoring around in vehicles that are safer than ever before thanks to the proliferation of improved safety systems like stability control. Check out the official press release and associated horn-tooting after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA | Image: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading U.S. D.O.T. says 2010 traffic fatalities lowest they've ever been

U.S. D.O.T. says 2010 traffic fatalities lowest they've ever been originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Americans racked up 3,000,000,000,000 miles traveled last year

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

The Department of Transportation has released data revealing that American drivers clocked over 2.9 trillion miles traveled in 2010. According to DOT, that's a .7 percent, or 20.5 billion-mile) increase over 2009, and the highest rate since 2007.

The area between Texas and Kentucky saw the biggest increase in miles traveled at 1.4 percent, with motorists travelling 46.6 billion miles in that area in 2010. The area from Delaware to Florida saw a .4 percent decrease in miles traveled, shaving 214 million miles off that locale's annual total.

Despite the increase in miles traveled, traffic fatalities in 2010 were at their lowest since 1950. We wouldn't expect the same increase in miles driven for next year, as gas prices are expected to climb to $4 a gallon over the summer, but we'll see... Americans love road trips, no?

[Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty]

Americans racked up 3,000,000,000,000 miles traveled last year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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