Autoblog

Toronto man takes matters into his own hands when traffic light breaks at rush hour

Michael Harley — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Canada

A pedestrian in the middle of a very busy four-way intersection is never a wise idea... apparently unless you are a 21-year-old Canadian named Artur. For reasons only described as "broken red light," the young man, wearing nothing more visible than a light blue top, recently stood his ground and braved cars, trucks and buses as he guided everyone safely through a Toronto intersection.

The most surprising part of the video isn't that Artur emerged unscathed (we really didn't expect him to get run over, as there is a small traffic-free area in the middle of every intersection, assuming drivers are paying attention), but rather the amount of authority he is able to project over motorists while keeping the flow of traffic and pedestrians moving safely. We don't know what he does for a living, but there is a job with a reflective vest and a whistle waiting for him if he wants a change of career. In fact, the Good Samaritan won't even have to wait that long for the special vest - a concerned truck driver stops in the middle of the intersection to give him one.

Where were the authorities during all this? You'll have to watch the viral video below and find out.

Continue reading Toronto man takes matters into his own hands when traffic light breaks at rush hour

Toronto man takes matters into his own hands when traffic light breaks at rush hour originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ohio judge calls speed cameras a "scam," earns spot on our Christmas card list

Zach Bowman — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology

There's only one thing better than fighting the man, and that's watching the man fight himself. A Hamilton County, Ohio judge has ruled against an ordinance that allowed the village of Elmwood Place to install speed cameras. The town of just 2,000 people has already seen the cameras generate some $1.5 million in fines since they were installed last July, and USA Today reports Judge Robert Ruehlman believes "Elwood place is engaged in nothing more than a high-tech game of Three-card Monty," adding, "It is a scam the motorist cannot win."

Preach it, preacher man.

Ohio has 13 other jurisdictions that use speed cameras, and a total of 13 states and Washington, D.C. use them to enforce traffic laws. Elmwood Place began handing out $105 citations shortly after the cameras were installed, and local residents reacted accordingly, with many simply avoiding the village all together. Local businesses say revenues are down and lawyer Mike Allen has stepped in to represent drivers suing the village. "It is obvious that the village of Elmwood is motivated by financial considerations and not public safety," he said.

Allen's victory marks what could be the country's first specific constitutional challenge to speed cameras. That is, whether or not a driver's due-process rights are violated by getting a ticket in the mail.

Ohio judge calls speed cameras a "scam," earns spot on our Christmas card list originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CDC releases results of largest survey ever on drowsy driving

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

We all know that driving while texting or under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released a survey taken back in 2009 and 2010 by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) showing just how lethal drowsy driving can be. According to the survey, drowsy driving accounted for almost 730 fatal crashes and around 30,000 non-fatal crashes in 2009, and it shows that 4.2 percent of more than 147,000 respondents had fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once in a 30-day period before the survey was taken.

As frightening as that is, the survey was limited to just 19 states and the District of Columbia and did not include teen drivers under the age of 18, which means the number could be even higher. Back in November, we reported on a survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that indicated one in seven (around 14 percent) drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 admitted to falling asleep while driving compared to the overall average of 10 percent admitting to dozing off behind the wheel. The BRFSS survey showed that Oregon had the lowest percentage of drowsy drivers (2.5 percent) while Texas had the highest number (6.1 percent). The CDC points out that two major contributing factors to drowsy driving are snoring and getting less than six hours of sleep per day - both are symptoms of sleep apnea.

While accidents and fatalities as a result of drowsy driving are no laughing matter, we couldn't help but think of the Griswold family as they traveled to Walley World in National Lampoon's Vacation (pictured above). Visit Sleep Education or the CDC for more information on this study.

CDC releases results of largest survey ever on drowsy driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US traffic deaths climb 7.1% in first 9 months of 2012

Michael Harley — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Less than two weeks ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 2011 traffic fatalities had declined by nearly 2 percent - to the lowest level in more than six decades. Now comes word that the first nine months of 2012 haven't been nearly as positive. According to the government agency's preliminary estimates, traffic deaths through September of this year have risen 7.1 percent when compared to last year's figures - the largest increase for that calendar period since NHTSA began keeping records.

Safety experts point out that US vehicle miles traveled from January 2012 through September 2012 increased by 14.6 billion miles (a 0.6-percent rise) over the same period last year. Those adding up the numbers say that many factors are to blame. Warm weather also increases the quantity of motorcyclists on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalks. A drop in gas prices and an improved economy also means consumers are more likely to drive outside of their daily commute.

Ending on a positive note, today's estimated fatality rate of 1.16 deaths per 100 million miles traveled is still down 21 percent when compared its recent high of 1.45 deaths per 100 million miles in 2005.

US traffic deaths climb 7.1% in first 9 months of 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAA: Young drivers more likely to drive drowsy

Chris Tutor — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Wake-y, wake-y... hit the brake-y! This is the National Sleep Foundation's Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has completed a new survey with data indicating that one in seven drivers between 16 and 24 have admitted to falling asleep while behind the wheel at least once in the last year alone. That's a lot more drowsy driving compared to only 1 in 10 of all drivers who said they nodded off while driving.

While most people surveyed said sleepy drivers are a threat to public safety, at least 30 percent also admit they have recently driven while being tired enough that they struggled to keep their eyes open.

"Unfortunately, most drivers underestimate the risks associated with drowsy driving and overestimate their ability to deal with it - that's a dangerous combination," says AAA Foundation President & CEO Peter Kissinger.

"Research shows that fatigue impairs safe driving, with many symptoms causing drivers to behave in ways similar to those who are intoxicated," said AAA President & CEO Robert Darbelnet in the same press release.

Think you're a better driver than those folks? The list of things that constitute drowsy driving include not noticing traffic signs, driving past your intended street/exit, difficulty keeping your eyes open, yawning frequently, lane drifting and daydreaming.

AAA has a few suggestions to help you stay awake. Get plenty sleep the night before a long trip, avoid traveling whey you usually sleep, take a break every two hours and travel with someone who can take a turn driving.

Read the press release below for more signs of drowsy driving and how to prevent it.

Continue reading AAA: Young drivers more likely to drive drowsy

AAA: Young drivers more likely to drive drowsy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How insects might help make traffic lights smarter and more efficient

George Kennedy — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology

Anyone who has ever driven some of our nation's more congested areas may argue that sitting in traffic for hours at a time is not natural human behavior, and they may be right. In fact, negotiating traffic may be more of the provence of insects, as a Gizmag report suggests.

Apparently, ants, bees and termites are all able to manage their traffic flow. The example given is ants, where the smaller of two converging groups will always defer to the larger group. According to Ozan Tonguz, a telecommunications researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, this instinctual behavior has potential applications in our traffic infrastructure.

The Virtual Traffic Lights system has been in development since 2009, and it would be able to determine which of two cars (or groups of cars) approaching a traffic light was larger and allow that group to proceed first. Once the larger group had passed, the smaller group would be allowed to go. According to Tonguz's simulations, this program could reduce commute times by 40 to 60 percent, not to mention the reduction in carbon emissions from a shorter commute time. This initiative has received $2 million, and a spin-off company has been created to help make it a reality.

Dresden University of Technology and ETH Zurich have come together on a similar system that would allow existing traffic lights to communicate with vehicles to improve traffic flow.

Sitting at a red light while the lane with the green can be frustrating and waste fuel. Let us hope these smart red light systems can be implemented everywhere soon.

How insects might help make traffic lights smarter and more efficient originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Florida to redesign license plates because traffic cameras have hard time reading them?

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

A lot of companies are making (or at least trying to make) money these days selling devices that improve drivers' odds of beating traffic cameras. As it turns out, though, having a Florida license plate on the back of your car could be the best defense against paying traffic fines like red light camera tickets and toll violations. According to new reports, some Florida plates are proving hard for traffic law enforcement cameras to read. With as many specialty license plates as the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles offers, it's even more surprising that the state's standard white plate with raised green letters and numbers is actually the culprit.

As the story goes, there's something about the coloring of the license plates and the similarity of some of the characters thereon - or probably a combination of the two - that have made about 2.8 million automated traffic violations go unpaid since the offenders' plates were difficult to capture in the automated photographs.

The remedy for the situation is apparently a redesigned license plate that does away with the raised lettering and prominent display of oranges. The plates in question are to be replaced by a flat plate with white background and black, block lettering for optimal contrast. Some of the proposed plate designs are pictured above. According to the Associated Press report on ABC Action News, there are about 18 million vehicles registered in the state with most of them licensed with the standard plate.

It sounds like the State of Florida could make a decision on a new plate design soon, but rollout will likely not occur for another couple years. The switch to new license plates could cost the state an estimated $31 million, but this cost would theoretically be offset by the additional revenues brought in from increases in traffic and toll violation citations.

Florida to redesign license plates because traffic cameras have hard time reading them? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feds release latest drunk driving stats, launch new campaign

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

Drunk driving fatalities were on the decline in 2010, with 32 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico all reporting fewer deaths, according to new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But the feds are still concerned about the 10,228 people killed in alcohol-related accidents.

NHTSA is launching a new ad campaign, called "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over," to help a nationwide crackdown on drunk driving this holiday season. We've got the first TV commercial after the jump, and it's, well, creepy. "Night Ends For These Buddies" features a group of clearly intoxicated men getting busted while driving home from the bar, but the unnerving thing about the commercial is the ghostly appearance of uniformed police officers. The transparent cops are meant to convey the idea that "they'll see you before you see them" - the scare-tactic message NHTSA wants to get across - but they also bring to mind police officers that were killed in the line of duty by drunk drivers.

Drunk driving is said to account for one out of every three traffic deaths, and it's as serious a subject as there is. Which is why we wonder whether these ad campaigns are the right tactic? It seems like the "crackdown" on drunk driving has achieved furniture-store-sale levels of permanence in our society, and if we're really serious about eliminating drunk driving there are other ways to go about keeping drunks off the roads.

Continue reading Feds release latest drunk driving stats, launch new campaign

Feds release latest drunk driving stats, launch new campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Australian safety council urges you to slow down... naturally

Chris Shunk — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Videos

"Enjoy The Ride" PSA - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Remember the Embrace Life PSA that urged auto occupants to use their safety belts? It's a beautiful safety ad with a very powerful message. The Road Safety Council of Western Australia must have been watching, because they've taken their safety message to the next level of serenity.

Beyond the jump is a three-minute ad titled "Enjoy The Ride." The first two minutes of the video explain how important it is to slow down in every day life. If you don't, the PSA explains, you're on the fast track to early aging, heart disease and even erectile dysfunction. You wouldn't know this is an auto safety spot until the last minute of the PSA, when the real message reveals itself. Slow down and enjoy the ride. Hit the jump to view the video - just be prepared to breath a little deeper... you may want to join yoga after this. Hat tip to Chris!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Australian safety council urges you to slow down... naturally

Video: Australian safety council urges you to slow down... naturally originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Making roads safer has led to bored, risk-taking drivers

Zach Bowman — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Australia

A new study from researchers in Australia may have dug up one of the reasons why drivers exceed the speed limit on their way to work. According to the Toronto Sun, a new study has found that drivers who are bored behind the wheel are more likely to put the right pedal to the floor. Researchers at Newcastle University asked drivers to answer a few questions about their driving habits and found that 31 percent of those behind the wheel are inattentive and dangerous. More surprisingly, 35 percent of those polled were classified as enthusiastic and attentive. These are the motorists that enjoy driving, but go faster when their stimulus levels decrease. The study also found that 21 percent of those polled dislike driving and move slower, while members of the smallest group, just 13 percent of the total respondents, were branded slow and safe.

Interestingly, researchers concluded that the influx of devices designed to make driving easier has led to the impression that operating a vehicle is akin to a chore. Rather than making drivers safer, the gadgets have actually led to increased inattentiveness. Basically, the perception of safety has increased the likelihood of risk taking.

Sounds like it's high time that vehicles made drivers fear for their lives once again. In all seriousness, the researchers have apparently recommended adding more turns to roads and incorporating shared space to force drivers to pay attention, among other actions.

[Source: The Toronto Sun | Image: Alexander F. Yuan/AP]

Study: Making roads safer has led to bored, risk-taking drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vancouver using 3D optical illusion to scare motorists into safer driving?

Zach Bowman — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Canada

Safety organizations and the District of West Vancouver, Canada are joining forces to build awareness about careful driving during the start of the school year. Thanks the work of the BCAA Traffic Safety Association, drivers motoring down 22nd Street in West Vancouver will be met with a 3D image of a girl chasing a ball across the street. No one is saying exactly how the tech works, but it's meant to be a wakeup call for drivers who may be distracted or otherwise not paying enough attention to their surroundings while driving near school zones.

The display will be installed for just one week and cost a princely total of $14,400 (USD) to operate. According to The Globe and Mail, drivers will be able to see that there is something on the road as they approach the 3D image. Once the vehicle reaches a certain point, the image of the child and her toy will appear. According to the BCAA Traffic Safety Association, September and October are the two months with the highest child fatalities, and this exercise should go well beyond the typical awareness campaign. Here's hoping it doesn't trigger any panic-braking induced accidents in the process.

[Source: The Globe and Mail]

Vancouver using 3D optical illusion to scare motorists into safer driving? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silent electric vehicles to cause new problems for NVH engineers?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Renault, Electric

A researcher at Renault said customers surveyed last year about what they want in an electric car responded, "silence, peace of mind and comfortable riding, a windy sound quality, a fluid driving experience like a skipper enjoying a sailboat." That sounds dreamy, until you realize how loud a car really is underneath all of the regular drivetrain noises we've come to expect from an ICE-powered ride. For instance, when we drove the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe two years ago, we heard nothing - and that's absolutely nothing - of the world outside, but that meant we could hear the windshield wiper motors mounted on the bulkhead.

Electric cars are going to bring many more and much greater challenges than that, and engineers are beginning to discuss how to overcome them. The noise, vibration and harshness culprits in an electric vehicle include battery cooling systems, HVAC fans and ducts, coils for the power electronics, and switching on range-extending engines on vehicles so-equipped. These are the kinds of noises covered up easily by engine and other low-frequency noises, but in an electric car, they can make one feel strapped into a curious contraption.

Of course, there is also the question of what to do for others who depend on the sounds of cars, such as blind pedestrians and cyclists. Sound engineering is the most talked about approach right now, but no one knows what shape this will take. Lotus Engineering created a Safe & Sound system that used a waterproof speaker to emit an make engine noise - but wasn't part of the promise of electric cars meant to be quieter cities? It's all still to play for when it comes to the future of NVH, but please please, no ringtones...

[Source: Ward's Auto | Image: Lotus Engineering]

Silent electric vehicles to cause new problems for NVH engineers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The most beautiful seatbelt advocacy commercial ever?

Chris Paukert — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, UK

Embrace Life PSA - click above to watch the video

Over the years, we've seen plenty of public safety announcements that tackle the issue of buckling up behind the wheel. Most rely on fear to convey their message - be it fear of a police citation ("Click it or ticket") or the menace of graphic violence, dismemberment and death.

This slow-motion spot from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, however, takes a different tack without sacrificing its effectiveness or drama, all while adding an unexpected element of artistry and grace to go along with the obligatory heartstring-tugging. (And before you ask, yes, it most certainly reminds us of a certain incredible Radiohead music video). Check it out after the jump and see if you don't agree. Hat tip to Duy!

[Source: Sussex Safer Roads Partnership via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: The most beautiful seatbelt advocacy commercial ever?

Video: The most beautiful seatbelt advocacy commercial ever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unintended Consequence of Technology: New LED traffic lights can't melt snow

Michael Harley — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology

Traffic lights using state-of-the-art LED illumination use 90 percent less electricity, offer a much longer service life and are more durable than their incandescent counterparts. Taking advantage of the countless benefits, cities around the country have been replacing traditional filament-based traffic signal bulbs with LEDs for years. Unfortunately, the low-watt LED units burn much cooler than its white-hot counterpart making it unable to melt snow off weather exposed traffic fixtures.

"I've never had to put up with this in the past," said Duane Kassens, a driver from Indiana who was involved in an accident attributed to a snow-clogged traffic light. "The police officer told me the new lights weren't melting the snow. How is that safe?" It obviously isn't.

Municipalities around the country are taking different steps to keep their signals shining brightly in the face of Mother Nature. Crews in St. Paul, Minnesota, use compressed air to keep their lights clean. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, city workers brush the snow off by hand in a labor-intensive process. Until a fix arrives, it is best to take the advice of Dave Hansen, a traffic engineer with the Green Bay Department of Public Works. Treat a blocked signal as if the power is out. "If there's any question, you err on the side of caution," says Hansen.

[Source: AOL Autos | Image: Oswego Police]

Unintended Consequence of Technology: New LED traffic lights can't melt snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ready, Set, Go! Clever stoplight concept counts down to green

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology

Eko stop light - Click above for image gallery

We've got the stoplights in our neighborhood timed pretty well, but it's pretty painful when you're at a foreign intersection and have absolutely no idea when the light will turn green. We shift our vehicle into Neutral and give our left foot a break at a stoplight that we know is long, but at uncharted lights, we occasionally keep our clutch foot to the floor.

One designer by the name of Damjan Stankovic decided we should wait no longer, so he designed an innovative-looking "Eko" stoplight that offers an easy to read indicator that shows how much time the light has until it turns green. The idea has some merit. If you want to conserve fuel and reduce CO2 emissions, you could turn off your engine during truly long lights. (We wouldn't, but you could). If drivers were able to see the light from far away, they could also let off the accelerator early and save a little strain on the brakes. We can think of one big issue, though: drivers trying to time the turn from red to green.

What do you think? Would a red light timer be a good thing, or would it be a recipe for disaster? Give us your take in 'Comments.' Thanks for the tips, Spyros and Jared!

Gallery: Eko Stop Light

[Source: Yanko Design]

Ready, Set, Go! Clever stoplight concept counts down to green originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: More than 25% of US bridges are "structurally deficient or functionally obsolete"

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Here's some bad news for all of us: Over 150,000 bridges in the U.S. have been judged to be "structurally deficient or functionally obsolete." And get this, there are less than 598,000 bridges in America. That means 25.7% aren't in very good shape. It turns out that the state with the most structurally deficient or functionally obsolete (SD/FO) bridges is Texas, with 9,564 such bridges. However, Texas is ginormous - almost half the size of Alaska - and therefore has a lot of bridges, but the percentage of Texan SD/FO bridges is 19%. And that's significantly lower than the national average.

What state has the most SD/FO bridges? Betcha never would have guessed the District of Columbia. For one thing, it's not even a state! For another, you'd think being in such close proximity to all that Washingtonian largesse would be good for something. Turns out, not. Anyhow, 55% of the bridges in our nation's capital are going to fall down/fail sooner than later says The Better Roads Bridge Inventory survey.

The actual State with the highest percentage of bad bridges is Rhode Island with 53%. Pennsylvania takes second place honors with 39%. The really bad news, according to the frighteningly detailed article, is that all these numbers might be low.

[Source: Better Roads via The Car Connection | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

REPORT: More than 25% of US bridges are "structurally deficient or functionally obsolete" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA institutes braking rules for large trucks, aims to cut stopping distances by 30%

Chris Shunk — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:58:00 EST

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

The current standard for big rig braking is that a vehicle traveling at 60 mph needs to stop in 355 feet or less. It isn't entirely clear on what sort of distance most new heavy trucks need to brake from that speed, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is sharply reducing that distance for 2012 and beyond, with a new standard of 250 feet. NHTSA says the increased braking capabilities will save 227 lives per year, while averting over 300 serious injuries.

In theory, insurance companies will also receive a boost, as fewer accidents would save $169 million in property damages per year.

NHTSA says that the new standard will help usher in the newest brake technology into U.S. truck fleets. The government agency says that increased truck safety standards have resulted in fewer truck-related traffic fatalities in the U.S., as 2008 saw a 12% drop versus 2007. Hit the jump to read over NHTSA's official press release.

[Source: NHTSA | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

Continue reading NHTSA institutes braking rules for large trucks, aims to cut stopping distances by 30%

NHTSA institutes braking rules for large trucks, aims to cut stopping distances by 30% originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STUDY: Majority of highway fatalities caused by deficient road conditions

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Government/Legal, Safety

What would you think to be the leading contributor to fatalities in car crashes here in the States? Failure to use seat belts? Speeding? Drunk driving? Think again. According to a new study commissioned by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), the leading cause of highway fatalities is deficient road conditions. In fact, the study asserts, with a roadway-related crash occurring every minute on American streets, inadequate roadway infrastructure is responsible for the majority of highway fatalities in the United States and over a third of injuries incurred in non-fatal crashes as well.

Given the state of many roadways, you might think that the situation - like America's road network - is beyond repair. However, the study, entitled "On a Crash Course: The Dangers and Health Costs of Deficient Roadways," assesses the financial cost alone of crashes caused by these substandard roadways - as a whopping $217 billion annually, including medical bills, loss of productivity and property damage. That's more than three-and-a-half times the $59 billion which local, state and federal governments in the United States invest in improving America's roadways. PIRE's solution? Improving road conditions, of course, including better signage and markings, widening shoulders and removing obstacles from roadsides. Follow the jump to read more on PIRE's findings and suggested solutions for what it deems is one of the largest killers in America.

[Source: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation | Image: STR/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading STUDY: Majority of highway fatalities caused by deficient road conditions

STUDY: Majority of highway fatalities caused by deficient road conditions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virginia goes back-and-forth on new speeding countermeasure

Dan Roth — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

I once worked with the manic guy who would paint the lines on the streets of my small hometown. Our work was decidedly one-dimensional, despite his art degree, and our small painting rig was not meant for big striping jobs, especially curvy roads. To create a radius, we'd set up guide strings and make a smooth arc. It didn't always work out, and my friends would rib me mercilessly after trying to follow the crazy angular path we'd sprayed.

Laugh all you want, friends, but according to Virginia's Department of Transportation, we were on to something. The VDOT is trying a method it says has been successful at reducing motorist speeds on Australian and UK roads with heavy pedestrian traffic.

There's no mistaking VDOT's new lines, they're wide, white, and zig-zag right down the middle of the lane. It may confuse some drivers at first, but the hope is that they'll slow down while exclaiming "what the...?" Right now, the lines are only at one or two intersections, with the lines starting about 500 feet from where the two roads come together. If the low-cost move meets with success, more intersections will be getting painted up. Press release after the jump.

[Source: VDOT via WTOP]

Continue reading Virginia goes back-and-forth on new speeding countermeasure

Virginia goes back-and-forth on new speeding countermeasure originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When are the most dangerous times to be on the road?

Chris Shunk — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Automobiles have become safer over the years, yet every time you get in a car, you're rolling the Reaper's dice. On average, 110 people die on the road each and every day. While many accident fatalities can be attributed to drinking and driving, not wearing a safety belt or reckless driving, some of the danger is compounded by the time of day people are on the road.

Forbes has compiled a litany of data showing which times are the the least safe to get behind the wheel, and the numbers are startling. For example, the most dangerous time of the day to drive is the afternoon rush hour. Between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m., there are an average of 6.6 deaths per hour in the US. While the afternoon wins on volume, the most dangerous time per driver on the road is between midnight and 4 a.m. According to the publication's findings, 5.87 people per 100 million on the road at this time never make it home. 36% of night time fatal accidents involve drunken driving, as opposed to 9% during daylight hours. Of the people killed on the road after midnight, 71% were found to not be wearing a safety belt, verses 55% during the day.

The study also took into account the top days to die in an auto accident. Despite a diminished rush hour, Saturday is the deadliest day of the week, with 158 fatalities per day. The most deadly month? August. Worst day of the year to be on the road? The Fourth of July, by far. And if you are making travel plans for the Thanksgiving weekend, take a plane. It's the most dangerous holiday weekend to be on the road. Hit the read link below to view the Forbes story in its entirety. It won't make you want to swear off driving, but it may make you think twice about when you drive.

[Source: Forbes]

When are the most dangerous times to be on the road? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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