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February 2018 Archives

Governors to pave the way for better road safety

California residents are probably aware that road safety is not what it could be, especially when compared to other developed countries. The number of traffic fatalities in the U.S. has been rising in recent years, with a 5.6 percent increase in 2016. That year, more than 37,000 road users were killed, and 39 states saw an increase in traffic deaths that year compared to 2015.

Trade group petitions for hours of service reforms

Truck drivers in California and around the country are not permitted to remain behind the wheel after being on duty for 14 hours under current hours of service regulations. However, some trade groups say that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's rules actually encourage drowsy driving and place other road users in danger. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is one such group, and they have petitioned the FMCSA to allow drivers to reset their 14-hour clocks by taking breaks of up to three hours.

AAA reveals surprising frequency of drowsy driving

With more than a third of American adults getting less than seven hours of sleep a day, according to the CDC, it's no surprise that drowsy driving is an issue. What drivers in California, and elsewhere in the U.S., may not realize is that drowsy driving is currently an underreported issue. The most recent statistics show that drowsiness causes 1 to 2 percent of all crashes, but the percentage is arguably higher.

How to reduce the odds of driving while distracted

California motorists may be putting others at risk by using their smartphones while driving. This may be true even as cars come with automatic braking and lane departure warning systems. However, according to a Consumer Reports survey, 52 percent of respondents who were licensed drivers said that they used their phone to send messages or watch videos. To help guard against smartphone use while driving, Apple has introduced a mode that can blocks incoming calls or messages.