Highway Safety News

Regulators Raid Toyota Offices Over Safety Scandal, Sending Stock Down

Toyota Motor Corp. and other carmakers embroiled in a fresh certification scandal halted shipments of a handful of models and saw their offices raided by government officials, but the impact on their customers and operations appears to be limited. Honda …

Over 44,400 Lives Lost Due to US Vehicle Crashes in 2023

There were about 44,450 motor vehicle fatalities in the United States in 2023—down from 2022 but still very high—according to a preliminary analysis released by the National Safety Council (NSC). Fatalities were down 4% from 2022 but still up 13.6% …

Study: Texas, Hawaii, California Top States With Fatal Crashes Involving Unlicensed Drivers

Texas topped the list of U.S. states with fatal car crashes involving unlicensed drivers with 24.16% of drivers in fatal crashes found not to have a valid license, a new study of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows. Hawaii …

Crash Tests Indicate Nation’s Guardrail System Can’t Handle Heavy Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles that typically weigh more than gasoline-powered cars can easily crash through steel highway guardrails that are not designed to withstand the extra force, raising concerns about the nation’s roadside safety system, according to crash test data released Wednesday …

Aimed at Safety, Atlantic City Road Narrowing Accelerates Fears of Worse Traffic in Gambling Resort

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Even with two lanes in each direction, the main road through Atlantic City can be choked with traffic, particularly on days when one or more big concerts are in town. Now, to access federal and …

Right Turn on Red? US Cities Are Considering Bans

CHICAGO (AP) — Sophee Langerman was on her way to a bicycle safety rally in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in June when a car turning right rolled through a red light and slammed into her bike, which she was walking off …

Report: Young Driver Fatality Rates Have Fallen Sharply in the US

NEW YORK (AP) — Crash and fatality rates among drivers under 21 have fallen dramatically in the U.S. during the past 20 years, a new report says, while noting young drivers are still the riskiest group behind the wheel. Using …

TransUnion: Police Gave Out Fewer Tickets as Highway Death Rate Climbed

At the same time as traffic fatalities increased and motorists’ driving habits deteriorated, law enforcement officers were issuing fewer citations for traffic violations, data analytics company TransUnion says in a new report. TransUnion gathers traffic violation data from the courts …

NTSB Chair Raises Safety Concerns About Heavy Electric Vehicles

WASHINGTON —U.S. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy on Wednesday raised concerns about the increased risk of severe injury and death from heavier electric vehicles on U.S. roads. She cited a General Motors GMC Hummer EV that weighs over …

Viewpoint: More Sweeping Cellphone Laws Reduce Crash Rates

It’s common knowledge that texting while driving is illegal in most places. But what about tapping the screen of your cellphone to accept a faster route suggested by Google Maps? What if your phone is mounted on the dashboard? What …