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Distracted driving is a public health issue that affects us all. The latest statistics show motor vehicle fatalities are up 6% from 2015. More than 40,000 people were killed on our nation’s roadways last year, and distracted driving is a major contributor. Each death is 100% preventable. From cell phones to dashboard infotainment systems to […]
Three out of seven large pickup trucks IIHS evaluated in a new round of crash tests earn an acceptable or higher rating for occupant protection in a small overlap front crash. IIHS evaluated two body styles of each 2016 model-year pickup — crew cab and extended cab. Crew cabs have four full doors and two […]
Historic mandate for electronic logs to bring trucker work-rule compliance into 21st century. Electronic logging devices should help reduce the problem of fatigue-related truck crashes by helping enforce federal hours-of-service rules for truck drivers.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety undertook an effort to investigate the possibilities of integrating data from forthcoming connected vehicle systems into defect analysis for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Atkins was selected by the AAA Foundation to study NHTSA’s defect investigation process and challenges. Upon detailed investigation of available telematics data, understanding […]
The American Trucking Association (ATA) is pushing for federal regulators to require the installation of automatic emergency braking systems on U.S. cars and trucks. The group, which lobbies for truck companies, said the automated braking systems would reduce the potential for accidents on the nation’s roads and highways. “In our role as a safety leader, […]
Parents looking for a safe, affordable vehicle for their teen driver have many more options than just a year ago. IIHS has updated its recommendations for used vehicles for teens, and the list has grown by more than 50 percent, even though the price and safety criteria haven’t changed. “Time is on the consumer’s side,” says […]
This reports describes research completed to study driver distraction among CMV operators. The team chose two common handheld devises that are major issues for today’s CMV operators: Mp3 players and cell phones. All 25 drivers who voluntarily participated in this study were professionals from commercial and independent companies who had at least 5 years of […]
Many tractor-trailers on the nation’s roads are driven faster than the 75 mph their tires are designed to handle, a practice that has been linked to wrecks and blowouts but has largely escaped the attention of highway officials. 14 states, mainly west of the Mississippi River, now have speed limits of 75, 80, or even […]
A public service announcement video by AASHTO, for the 2015 National Work Zone Awareness Week campaign, highlights the theme of “Expect the Unexpected”. This year’s annual observation is March 23-27, and as always is designed to heighten drivers’ awareness of the need to slow down and be especially observant in roadway work zones. There, a […]
Since 2006, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has been sponsoring research to better understand traffic safety culture. The Foundation’s long-term term vision is to create a “social climate in which traffic safety is highly valued and rigorously pursued.” In 2008, the AAA Foundation conducted the first Traffic Safety Culture Index, a nationally-representative survey, to […]