February 2017 Archives
National Safety Council wants to ban cellphone use by drivers
Lower gas prices and an improved economy resulted in people driving more in California and around the country in 2016, but the chief of the National Safety Council said that the rise in traffic fatalities could not be credited entirely to a 3 percent rise in miles traveled. The council reported that in 2016, 40,200 people died in motor vehicle accidents nationwide. This figure reflects a 6 percent increase from 2015 and a 14 percent jump compared to deaths in 2014.
Driving behaviors of millenials
According to a report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, millennials in California and the rest of the country have the worst driving habits when compared to other age groups. The survey found that 88 percent of drivers aged 19 to 24 years of age admitted to taking part in dangerous driving behavior at some time during the previous 30 days. The behaviors included running red lights, speeding and texting while driving.
FMCSA rule is delayed
Prospective commercial truck drivers in California should be aware that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issue a notice on Feb. 1, 2017, that delayed the effective date of a new rule that establishes national standards for truck driver training. The delay is due to a Jan. 20, 2017, memo that was issued by the new presidential administration.