Latest Road safety News

New NHTSA chief: Agency to scrutinize auto-driver technology
WASHINGTON (AP) — The new head of the government's road safety agency says it will intensify efforts to understand the risks posed by automated vehicle technology so it can decide what regulations may be necessary to protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians. In an interview...
Editorial Roundup: South Dakota
Yankton Press & Dakotan. June 7, 2022. Editorial: Summer Travel: The Biggest Problem We Face Two immutable facts are upon us: Summer is here and Americans will be hitting the road. Even with inflation and gas prices soaring, U.S. motorists will do a...

Rising US traffic deaths put focus on one Philadelphia road
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Just one more step and the stroller would have been on the curb. The thought haunts Latanya Byrd years after a driver racing down Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia struck and killed her 27-year-old niece, Samara Banks, and three of Banks’ young sons as they...

Senate confirms Steven Cliff to lead highway safety agency
DETROIT (AP) — The Senate on Thursday confirmed former California pollution regulator Steven Cliff to run the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. President Joe Biden’s pick to run the agency was confirmed by consent without objections or a formal roll call vote. ...
Editorial Roundup: Tennessee
Johnson City Press. May 25, 2022. Editorial: Buckle up and drive safely this long weekend Friday marks the start of the travel period for this long Memorial Day weekend. Law enforcement officials want to remind you to buckle up before leaving your driveway. ...

Hyundai recalls 239,000 cars for exploding seat belt parts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hyundai is recalling 239,000 cars in the U.S. because the seat belt pretensioners can explode and injure vehicle occupants. Three injuries have been reported, two in the U.S. and one in Singapore. In a letter to the Korean automaker, government regulators said...
House votes bill to penalize cellphone use while drivers
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Driving while using a handheld cellphone could become a traffic violation punishable by a ticket and fine under legislation approved Monday by the state House. State Rep. Mike Huval, a Republican from Breaux Bridge, got the bill passed with a 55-38 vote...

Nearly 43,000 people died on US roads last year, agency says
DETROIT (AP) — Nearly 43,000 people were killed on U.S. roads last year, the highest number in 16 years as Americans returned to the roads after the coronavirus pandemic forced many to stay at home. The 10.5% jump over 2020 numbers was the largest percentage increase since the...

Buttigieg sends $5B to cities for safety as road deaths soar
WASHINGTON (AP) — With upcoming data showing traffic deaths soaring, the Biden administration is steering $5 billion in federal aid to cities and localities to address the growing crisis by slowing down cars, carving out bike paths and wider sidewalks and nudging commuters to public transit. ...
Crews battle 500-acre wildfire in North Carolina preserve
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Firefighters are trying to contain a wildfire that covered more than 500 acres in southeastern North Carolina on Tuesday and forced the shutdown of a highway, state officials said. A news release from the N.C. Department of Agriculture of Consumer Services said...
