Roundabouts

A roundabout without vehicles

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When traffic engineers plan the roads that eventually will accommodate traffic in new developments like this, the plans usually involve intersections with stop signs or signal lights. But the barren site of a future intersection might be an opportunity to consider another option for traffic  management, the modern roundabout. These have been built by the tens of thousands worldwide. The main benefits have been to improve traffic flow and reduce injury crashes by as much as 75 Read more . . .

Cellphone Use Increases In Spite Of Danger

Man driving a truck

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Phoning while driving increases year by year, even as evidence of the risk accumulates.  More drivers than ever are talking on cell phones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that at any time of day 6 percent of drivers on U.S. roads in 2005 were using hand-held phones – double the  rate that was observed 5 years ago. The highest phone use rate in 2005 (10 percent) was among drivers 16 to 24 years old. Read more . . .

Are You Cool With School Carpool?

A yellow school bus

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School has moms and dads driving their kids–and neighbor kids–to school in record numbers. Now a new national survey sponsored by Nissan North America, indicates that many parents are extremely concerned about their children’s safety, especially in other parents’ vehicles.

According to a survey of consumers conducted by StrategyOne, a national public opinion research company, nearly seven out of 10 (69 percent) mothers  Read more . . .

It’s Not Easy Being Teen

You hear a lot about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, especially if you’re a teen, and while we don’t want to minimize the threat of substance abuse, they are not the top killer of teenagers. Instead the number one cause of death among teens is car crashes. In fact, the fatality rate for teenage drivers is nearly four times higher than for drivers past their teenage years. Read more . . .

Fatigue Not Just An Irritant

Drivers are often reminded about the seriousness of drinking and driving. Yet research now indicates that tired drivers can be just as dangerous. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently reported the top 10 driver errors and listed “drowsiness” at number two, just behind “distractions.” Based on a study conducted in Canada and the United States, the AAA report states that drowsiness, Read more . . .