Austin is notoriously known for its terrible rush hour traffic. Statistics show that a rush hour trip, on a national level it would take 25% longer than in a normal time, however, in Austin, it would take 29% longer. This percentage of time wasted leads to more expensive resources being wasted as well. In the Austin area, the work force…
Allstate America’s fifth annual ranking of U.S. cities for safe driving puts Austin in a familiar position – far behind almost everyone else. According to the study, Austin finished 179th out of 193 cities ranked. On average, the Austin-area driver will have an accident once every seven years. In 2005, the study’s first year, Austin…
The first study of drivers texting inside their vehicles shows that the risk sharply exceeds previous estimates based on laboratory research and far surpasses the dangers of other driving distractions. The new study, which entailed outfitting the cabs of long-haul trucks with video cameras over 18 months, found that when the drivers texted, their collision…
Texas leads the nation in the decline in fatal crashes involving teen drivers. Fatalities involving 16 to 19-year-old drivers fell 33 percent from 2002 to 2007, more than double the national rate of decline, according to a study released Monday. Driving experts attribute the decrease to the rigorous multistep program Texas teens must endure to…
Democratic lawmakers recently called for states to ban texting while driving or face cuts in highway money, citing the need to reduce driver distraction and potential highway deaths and injuries. “When drivers have their eyes on their cell phones instead of the road, the results can be dangerous and even deadly,” said Sen. Charles Schumer,…
Texas law already requires buckling up in the front seat, and starting September 1, it’ll be the law to do so in the back seat, too. The change affects people 17 and older; those 16 and under are already required to wear a seat belt in the back seat. Getting the measure passed into law…
The seat belt law is one of several driving that take effect Sept. 1. Others include: Children under 8 have to be in a child safety seat or a booster seat unless they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. Under the current law, only children under 5 and shorter than 36 inches have to he…
Austin firetrucks now must drive the speed limit and come to a complete stop at intersections while responding to calls, according to a new city policy that has upset the firefighters union. Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr said the policy is intended to improve safety for firefighters and motorists. But Steven Truesdell, president of the…
The federal safety agency that investigates transportation accidents is banning text-messaging and talking on cell phones by its employees while driving on government business. National Transportation Safety Board’s 400 employees will no longer be able to text or talk on cell phones while driving during work hours nor while driving during off-hours if they’re using…
Toyota Motor Corporation said it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States, the company’s largest-ever U.S. recall, to address problems with a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to get stuck and lead to a crash. The recall will involve models such as the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America,…
