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Top Stories
Motorcoach Safety Action Plan Released by DOT
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The Motorcoach Safety Action Plan lays out concrete steps for improving motorcoach safety across the board, addressing major issues such as driver fatigue and inattention, vehicle rollover, occupant ejections and oversight of unsafe carriers. “We are committed to making sure that bus travelers reach their destinations safely,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today. “These improvements will not only help reduce the number of motorcoach crashes, it will also help save lives and reduce injuries.” While motorcoach travel is a very safe mode of transportation in the U.S., carrying 750 million passengers annually, an average of 19 motorcoach occupants are killed in crashes each year according to data collected by NHTSA. More fatalities result among pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles involved in these crashes.
News Release l Read the Action Plan
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NHTSA Announces Record Low Traffic Fatalities to Start 2009
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Traffic deaths on U.S. roads reached a record low in the first half of 2009, according to projections released Oct. 9. Estimates show that 16,626 people died in traffic crashes between January and June –- a 7 percent decline from 17,871 for the same period last year. Projected figures for the period also show a record low fatality rate of 1.15 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from 1.23 deaths during the same period in 2008.
Read the Report
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New Research Finds Increase in Use of Hand-Held Devices Among All Drivers
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Kicking off a two-day Distracted Driving Summit that will highlight the under-recognized dangers of distracted behavior behind the wheel, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced new research findings by NHTSA that show nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured. On any given day in 2008, more than 800,000 vehicles were driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone. “Every single time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road - even for just a few seconds - they put their lives and the lives of others in danger,” said Secretary LaHood Sept. 30 in Washington, D.C. “Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating.”
News Release l Examination of Driver Distraction
Driver Electronic Device Use in 2008 Research Note
Additional NHTSA Research and Reports on Driver Distraction, Including Cell Phone Use
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Seat Belt Use Nationwide Reaches 84 percent
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A new report shows that seat belt use nationally has hit a record high of 84 percent. To view the new NHTSA research, click here.
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National Program to Improve Fuel Economy and Reduce Greenhouse Gases Proposed
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The Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency today jointly proposed a rule establishing a historic national program that would improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gases. Under the proposed program, which covers model years 2012 through 2016, automobile manufacturers would be able to build a single, light-duty national fleet that satisfies all federal requirements as well as the standards of California and other states.
News Release l Complete Details on NHTSA's CAFE Page
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"Wildly Successful" Cash for Clunkers Wraps Up with Nearly 700,000 Car Sales, Increased Fuel Efficiency
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The CARS program closed with nearly 700,000 clunkers taken off the roads, replaced by far more fuel-efficient vehicles. Rebate applications worth $2.877 billion were submitted by the Aug. 25 deadline, under the $3 billion provided by Congress. Cars made in America topped the most-purchased list, from the Ford Focus to the Toyota Corolla to the Honda Civic. The program also was good for the environment. Eighty-four percent of consumers traded in trucks and 59% purchased passenger cars. The average fuel economy of trade-in vehicles was 15.8 mpg and the average of purchased vehicles is 24.9 mpg -– a 58% improvement. “American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Manufacturing plants have added shifts and recalled workers. Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment.”
News Release l CARS Program Statistics i Visit cars.gov to Learn More
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