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FAA moves to give air traffic controllers more rest

Washington — Air traffic controllers must have at least 10 hours of off-duty time between shifts, Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker announced April 19.




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GAO calls on FAA to better examine drone flights near airports

Washington — The Federal Aviation Administration should make sure its strategy on safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System assesses how counter-drone technologies at airports affect its efforts, the Government Accountability Office says.




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Work-related activities increase rideshare drivers’ crash risk: study

Chicago — A third of rideshare drivers have been involved in a crash while on the job, results of a recent study suggest.




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Study links drowsy driving to nearly 30,000 deaths over 5 years

Drowsy drivers were involved in 18% of all fatal crashes over a recent five-year period, leading to nearly 30,000 deaths, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates.




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FMCSA removes two requirements for young trucker pilot program

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has eased restrictions on a pilot program that allows commercial truck drivers younger than 21 to operate interstate.




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Safety tech on delivery vans would bring big benefits, insurance institute says

Arlington, VA — Installing various safety features on light vans used in e-commerce could yield a nearly 40% reduction in fatal crashes involving the vehicles, according to a recent study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.




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FHWA grants aimed at reducing truck pollution around ports

Washington — The Federal Highway Safety Administration has awarded $148 million in grants in an effort to “improve air quality and reduce pollution for truck drivers, port workers and families that live in communities surrounding ports.”




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FAA rule means more aviation entities required to have a safety management system

Washington — Commercial and charter airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and air tour operators must establish a safety management system, according to a Federal Aviation Administration final rule that went into effect May 28.




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Trucking industry group opposes federal effort to reclassify marijuana

Washington — Federal action aimed at easing restrictions on marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act “may have considerable negative consequences for highway safety and safety-sensitive industries,” the American Trucking Associations claims.




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Jennifer Homendy remains NTSB chair

Washington — The Senate has confirmed Jennifer Homendy for a second term as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board.




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FAA delays air traffic controller rest policy: reports

Washington — The Federal Aviation Administration has delayed implementation of a policy requiring air traffic controllers to have at least 10 hours of off-duty time between shifts.




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FMCSA listening session on safety fitness determinations set for June 29

Washington — As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration considers updating the methodology it uses to determine if truck and bus companies are fit to operate safely, the agency has scheduled a public listening session.




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FAA funding bill a big win for airline safety, union leaders say

Washington — Aviation labor unions are applauding the safety provisions included in a bill, recently signed into law by President Joe Biden, that reauthorizes funding for the Federal Aviation Administration.




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Brake Safety Day: Inspectors take unsafe trucks and buses off the road

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspectors placed 11.6% of the trucks and buses they examined out of service for brake-related violations during a recent safety blitz.




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FRA to railroads: Train and certify dispatchers and signal workers

Washington — Railroads must develop certification and training programs for train dispatchers and signal employees, under new Federal Railroad Administration final rules.




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Survey shows passenger vehicle drivers support speed-limiting devices

Arlington, VA — Most drivers would approve the use of vehicle technology designed to prevent or limit speeding, results of a recent survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show.




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Female truckers commonly encounter harassment and fear for their safety: report

Washington — More than 1 out of 6 female truck drivers experience harassment or discrimination daily, while almost a quarter have left the industry over personal safety concerns, a new report finds.




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Vinn White new acting head of FMCSA

Washington — Vinn White is the acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration after being appointed deputy administrator by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on June 25.




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Annual truck and bus brake inspection blitz set for Aug. 25-31

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial motor vehicle inspectors across North America will conduct brake system inspections – announced and unannounced – Aug. 25-31 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week.




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Can better truck design help protect vulnerable road users?

Washington — The Government Accountability Office has agreed to look into how vehicle design – including that of large commercial trucks – could improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.




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Railroad rule requires real-time reporting of hazmat info

Washington — A new rule requires railroads to “proactively provide” real-time electronic information about hazmat shipments to 911 call centers or emergency responder mobile apps as soon as they become aware of an incident.




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Latest DOT regulatory agenda shows delays on speed limiters

Washington — A hotly contested proposed rule that would require speed-limiting devices on heavy trucks has again been delayed.




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For school bus drivers: Free videos on rail crossing safety

Washington — In an effort to help school bus drivers make safe choices at railroad crossings, a rail safety education group has released a series of free training videos.




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FMCSA awards funding for large truck and bus safety initiatives

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has awarded almost $480 million in grants for safety initiatives related to large trucks and buses.




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House lawmakers introduce bipartisan rail safety bill

Washington — Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the House is aimed at bolstering the safety of the nation’s rail network via modernization and investment in grant and pilot programs.




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NTSB alarmed about federal efforts to reclassify marijuana

Washington — Federal action aimed at easing restrictions on marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act could jeopardize federally required drug testing for workers in safety-sensitive jobs, the National Transportation Safety Board warns.




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OSHA keeps an eye on transportation tank cleaning operations in the South

Dallas — OSHA Region 6 has updated and renewed its Regional Emphasis Program focused on transportation tank cleaning operations.




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DOT oral fluid drug testing in a holding pattern

Washington — Although oral fluid drug testing has been federally approved for truck drivers and workers in safety-sensitive transportation positions, its use as an alternative to urine testing has been delayed and remains in flux.




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Are young driver training requirements in your state strong enough?

Philadelphia — Training requirements that vary by state may leave some newly licensed teen drivers “ill prepared for safe driving,” results of a recent study suggest.




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Watch out for email scam, FMCSA warns truckers

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is cautioning truck drivers about a “very convincing” fraudulent email requesting various personal information not required on agency forms.




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Vehicle submersion: Act fast

Vehicles get submerged in water. If it happened to you, would you know what to do?




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Transit workers need mental health support and wellness resources: new report

Washington — Transit agency leaders must help support employee well-being with a clear commitment to addressing mental health, wellness and resiliency – and should provide resources, according to a new report.




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Traffic safety conference will ‘explore emerging issues’ and share insights

Vienna, VA — Registration is open for the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety’s annual conference, set for Oct. 8-11 in Atlanta.




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After a delay, FAA finalizes air traffic controller rest policy

Washington — The Federal Aviation Administration has finalized a policy requiring air traffic controllers to have at least 10 hours of off-duty time between shifts.




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Safety board investigation of Ohio train derailment leads to recommendations

Washington — The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a series of recommendations to several entities in a new report on the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.




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Hazard alert has tips on preventing truck rollaways

Tumwater, WA — Spurred by separate rollaway incidents in which truck mechanics were killed, Washington state has published a hazard alert.




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FTA rule builds on safety training requirements

Washington — A Federal Transit Administration final rule that updates the agency’s safety certification training program for rail transit workers eases recertification while maintaining a uniform curriculum, FTA says.




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Pennsylvania ‘green-lights’ new color for construction vehicle flashers

Harrisburg, PA — A new Pennsylvania law says state highway construction and maintenance vehicles can display flashing/revolving fluorescent green lights to help protect roadway workers and drivers during inclement weather.




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Survey asks truckers to share their biggest industry concerns

Washington — Now open for trucking industry stakeholders: a survey on the most critical issues facing the industry.




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Report calls for focus on transportation worker mental health

San Jose, CA — Bolstering mindfulness and emotional intelligence in the transportation industry “will help foster a felt sense of psychological safety among employees, empowering them to perform their roles effectively, efficiently and safely,” a research institute says in a new report.




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Professional drivers receive recognition for being safe

Orlando, FL — The National Safety Council, during the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, honored 14 professional drivers who have helped make roads and communities safer.




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‘Detention time’ leads truckers to drive faster, report shows

Washington — Truck drivers who spend time waiting for cargo to be loaded or unloaded at customer facilities – known as “detention time” – are more likely to travel at higher speeds than drivers who aren’t detained.




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California bill banning large driverless trucks back on Newsom’s desk

Sacramento, CA — For the second time, legislation that would prohibit autonomous trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more from operating on California roadways awaits the signature of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).




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Annual ‘Roadcheck’ identifies vehicle and driver violations

Greenbelt, MD — The results of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 37th annual International Roadcheck are in.




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FTA pushes transit agencies to protect workers from assault

Washington — The Federal Transit Administration is requiring urban transit agencies “to conduct a safety risk assessment; identify safety risk mitigations or strategies; and provide information to FTA on how it is assessing, mitigating and monitoring the safety risk associated with assaults on transit workers.”




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California governor again vetoes bill banning large driverless trucks

Sacramento, CA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has vetoed – for the second time in two years – legislation that would have prohibited driverless autonomous trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more from operating on state roadways.




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MSDs are the top cause of injuries among warehousing and transportation workers: GAO

Washington — Musculoskeletal disorders are overwhelmingly the No. 1 cause of injuries among warehousing and “last-mile delivery” workers, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Oct. 8.




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Does a full moon raise the risk of vehicle collisions with wildlife?

College Station, TX — Workers who drive at night, take note: Vehicle-wildlife collisions may be almost 50% more likely to occur during a full moon, results of a recent study suggest.




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DOT proposes using e-forms for drug and alcohol testing

Washington — The Department of Transportation is accepting comment on a proposed rule that would allow the use of electronic forms and signatures for drug and alcohol testing.




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NTSB investigation yields lessons on shift worker fatigue

Washington — Night or shift workers who don’t get sufficient rest may be unfit to reliably gauge their own fatigue level because of a diminished ability to detect “when their performance is declining.”