The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said late last week that they are no longer pursuing the regulation that would require testing for the fatigue-inducing disorder that has been blamed for deadly rail crashes in New York City and New Jersey and several highway crashes. The agencies argue that it…
Austin police made 230 drunken driving arrests over 19 days this holiday season, compared with 229 arrests over 17 days last year, police officials said Tuesday. Of the 230 people arrested from Dec. 15 to Monday, 82 consented to a breath alcohol test and 29 consented to a blood draw. Police had to get a…
Truck Speed Limiter Rules Could Falter Highway safety advocates are worried that a government rule that would electronically limit the speeds of tractor-trailers could be scuttled or ignored by the administration of President-elect Donald Trump. The rule proposed by two federal agencies would cap the speed of newly manufactured trucks at 60, 65, or 68…
Pedestrian Deaths Up this Year Pedestrian deaths are up this year – a third of the people who have died on Austin roadways in 2016 so far were on foot when they were killed, according to Austin police records. The tally of pedestrian deaths steadily rose throughout the year, but a rash of fatal crashes in…
Holiday Tips to Avoid Dangerous Drivers The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging drivers to help make the holidays safer by driving sober and using extra caution and have provided some tips to avoid dangerous drivers. In an effort to protect travelers on our roadways, DPS Troopers, as well as local law enforcement…
Penalties for Fire Truck Accidents Rile Fire Union The Austin Fire Department this year has seen a spike in fire truck accidents. That, in turn, has led the agency to enact a new disciplinary system, which has upset the firefighters union and has led to more than 20 suspensions in recent months. Over the past…
The trucking industry scored a victory this week when Republican lawmakers effectively blocked Obama administration safety rules aimed at keeping tired truckers off the highway. But there’s more coming down the road. The American Trucking Associations is pledging to come back next month, when Republicans will control the White House and Congress, and try to…
For young people who ride all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) without a helmet, the risk of head trauma is an established and serious concern. New research, however, finds that these vehicles may also pose a high risk for severe chest injuries. “I believe that many parents are unaware of how serious ATV-related injuries can be,” said the…
Facts About Dog Bites Here are some basic facts from the American Veterinary Medical Association: Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the United States are bit by dogs. One in 5 dog bites require medical attention. Children are the most-often bitten and are also the most likely to be severely injured. Seniors are…
