U.S. Government News

115 winners of 2012 Top Safety Pick - 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups earn top pick

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:00:53 PST

In all, 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups earn Top Safety Pick. The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in Institute evaluations. The ratings, which cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes, help shoppers pick vehicles that offer the highest levels of crash protection.

Toyota's Agreement to Pay Maximum Civil Penalty

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:35:20 PST

By failing to report known safety problems as it is required to do under the law, Toyota put consumers at risk," said Secretary LaHood. "I am pleased that Toyota has accepted responsibility for violating its legal obligations to report any defects promptly.

Texting While Driving: Wyoming Becomes the 20th State to Ban Texting While Driving

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:09:16 PST

"Texting while driving, like talking on cell phones while driving, is dangerous to the driver doing it and all of those around them.”

Toyota Third Recall: U.S. Department of Transportation Responds to Third Toyota Recall

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:02:54 PST

The U.S. Department of Transportation learned today of a third Toyota recall involving 2010 Prius hybrids and Lexus HS 250h vehicles experiencing brake system problems. Some 2010 Camrys prone to brake fluid leaks have also been recalled.

New Drving Laws for 2010

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:42:03 PST

J anuary not only rings in a new year, but also new laws for 2010. The California Highway Patrol reminds drivers to be familiar with these new traffic laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. These are just a few of the news laws that take effect in either January or July 2010.

Booster Seats: Buckle Up Your Children - Every Trip. Every Time

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:02:28 PST

The U.S. Department of Transportation today reminded parents and caregivers that child safety seats and booster seats are the best defense young passengers have against death or injury in the event of a crash.

Cash for Clunkers Wraps up with Nearly 700,000 car sale

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:50:40 PST

T he CARS program came to a close Tuesday night with nearly 700,000 clunkers taken off the roads, replaced by far more fuel efficient vehicles. Rebate applications worth $2.877 billion were submitted by the 8 p.m. deadline, under the $3 billion provided by Congress to run the program.

U.S.DOT Unveils Automatic Vehicle Safety Recall Notification Service

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:10:22 PST

Vehicle owners across the nation can be instantly informed of a safety recall under a new automated alert system announced today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters.

New Data Show Drinking Age Laws Saved 4,441 Lives Over 5 Years

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:49:34 PST

Minimum 21-year-old drinking age laws prevented an estimated 4,441 drunken driving deaths in the last five years alone, according to a new report released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Drug Testing: New DOT Rule Makes Cheating on Drug Testing Harder

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:20:25 PST

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced today a new rule that will make it more difficult for transportation workers to cheat on their required drug tests by requiring drug testing labs to analyze every test for tampering

Children Flying Alone, DOt Releases New Guide

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:03:04 PST

New Booklet Provides Advice on Children Flying Alone. A new booklet from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provides advice to the parents of children who must travel alone by air. "When Kids Fly Alone" notes that while there are no DOT regulations governing unaccompanied minors on airlines, the carriers have various rules on the ages of children they will allow to travel alone and special procedures they use to safeguard children who are traveling without an adult.

Americans Drove 1.4 Billion Fewer Highway Miles in April of 2008 than in April 2007

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:21:01 PST

Sixth Month of Declining Vehicle Miles Traveled Signals Need to Find New Revenue Sources for Highway and Transit Programs, Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters Says

Infiniti SUV earns top safety award

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:51:03 PST

ARLINGTON, VA -- The new Infiniti EX35, a luxury SUV, earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award for 2008. The EX35 is the first Infiniti to earn this award. Top Safety Pick winners afford superior overall crash protection among the vehicles in their class. To qualify a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control.

Traffic Control Device Rules Strengthened In New Publication

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:58:11 PST

New rules for highway signs and pavement markings developed in response to a bus crash in Atlanta last March are among the changes in the Notice of Proposed Amendments for the next edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Federal Highway Administrator J. Richard Capka announced today.

New 2008 CHP laws For The Road

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:31:11 PST

(Sacramento) With a new year on the horizon, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants to remind motorists of a handful of new laws, passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, that go into effect in 2008.

Daily Death Toll from Drunk Driving Crashes Highest During Holiday Season, New Data Shows

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:58:33 PST

New federal traffic safety data shows that the daily death toll from drunk driving crashes during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods is significantly more than for the rest of the year, announced U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters.

New crash tests: some midsize SUVs perform worse than many cars in side tests

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:20:54 PST

Results of crash tests for six SUVs show frontal crash protection has improved. However, the tests reveal significant differences in how well SUVs protect people in serious side crashes. Among the worst performers in the side test are the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet TrailBlazer, even though both are equipped with standard side airbags. The front and side tests recently were conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to evaluate how well midsize SUVs protect people in the two most common kinds of serious crashes. Rear crash protection ratings for these models were released earlier this year.

Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2007 - Overall Results

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:33:18 PST

A new focus on motorcycle safety and increased efforts to encourage seatbelt use are paying off, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters, who said new figures released today show the national seat belt use rate increased to an all time high and more motorcyclists are wearing their helmets.

DUI: NHTSA Urges Increased Use of Ignition Interlocks for Repeat Drunk Driving Offenders

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 21:33:05 PST

The nation’s top highway safety official, National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Nicole Nason, called on judges and prosecutors to consider increasing the use of ignition interlocks as part of a penalty enforced against repeat drunk driving offenders.

NHTSA Urges Drivers To Check Their Tires During The Hot Weather

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 07:09:15 PST

The nation’s top highway safety official today cautioned motorists that hot weather and under-inflated tires are a dangerous combination. Nicole Nason, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, unveiled a public service announcement urging drivers to check tire pressure and tread-wear often but especially during the hot, summer months.