What Is the Department of Transportation (DOT)?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the federal agency responsible for planning and coordinating federal transportation projects and setting safety regulations for all modes of transportation in the United States.
According to the official description, DOT’s mission is to “Ensure our Nation has the safest, most efficient, and modern transportation system in the world, which improves the quality of life for all American people and communities, from rural to urban, and increases the productivity and competitiveness of American workers and businesses.” The DOT plays a crucial role in setting and enforcing regulations that affect transportation safety, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability.
DOT’s main activities include funding infrastructure projects, conducting research to improve transportation systems, and implementing policies to enhance safety and accessibility. It also addresses issues such as traffic management, vehicle safety standards, and the environmental impact of transportation. Understanding the Department of Transportation is critical to comprehending how federal policy influences the everyday movement of people and goods, shaping economic development and public safety nationwide.
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October is Pedestrian Safety Month
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Observe Pedestrian Safety Month with Safety Reminders
This October, join Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys in celebrating the first annual Pedestrian Safety Month. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a division of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), created Pedestrian Safety Month to increase “awareness about pedestrian safety.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pedestrians face exceptional danger. In fact, the CDC reports that hospital emergency departments treat 137,000 injured pedestrians each year. Additionally, every 88 minutes, an American pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident.
In light of these dangers, the NHTSA’s goal is to remind drivers and walkers that staying safe is a shared responsibility.
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we understand the dangers that pedestrians face. […]
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Mobile apps for truckers
Technology and the modern truck driver
When Apple first introduced the iPhone in 2007, we could not have predicted how significantly smartphones would change our world. Of course as the technology has improved over the years, so has the number and quality of mobile applications (“apps”) on both iOS (AppStore) and Android (Google Play) operations systems. But did you know there exists a large subculture of apps for truckers? Below, we’ll outline some of the popular apps designed specifically for truckers.
Note: Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys does not encourage truck drivers to use their smartphones while they are driving – there is no room for error on the road and distractions already abound. It is a way to endanger your life and the lives of others. If you do use one or more of the apps described here, please be sure to access them before you hit the road or at a rest stop – […]
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Self-driving trucks: what does the future look like?
The (latest) future of self-driving trucks
As autonomous vehicles are increasingly produced, a more daring venture on the horizon is the advent of self-driving trucks. News of these developments started several years ago – what progress has the industry made since then? And, what kind of impact could self-driving trucks have on road and driver safety, as well as potential legal ramifications?
Today, autonomous driving technology is one of the most discussed new developments on the horizon. Over the past five years, many companies have been developing self-driving technology both for cars and for long-haul trucks. Our truck accident lawyer takes a look at self-driving vehicles and what they could mean for the future of transit, road safety, traffic incidents and indeed the wider economy.
What is “autonomy”?
Before we go any further, it is important to demonstrate exactly what is meant by “autonomy.”
The industry has adopted the following levels of increasing technological complexity, […]
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FMCSA Issues Final Rule on Truckers’ Hours of Service
FMCSA announces final revision to trucker hours of service rules
On May 14, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the federal Department of Transportation (DOT), announced four regulatory changes. These revisions are meant to provide truck drivers with greater flexibility while preserving the safety of commercial truck operators, manufacturers, and retailers. FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen stated that the changes were based on thousands of suggestions from drivers and other trucking industry members and comments from the public over the last two years. The agency predicts that these amendments will provide $274 million in annualized cost savings.
What Do the FMSCA Revisions Change?
The FMCSA revisions make the following changes to Hours of Service (HOS) regulations:
Expansion of the “Short-Haul” Exception: The FMCSA imposes tracking, reporting, […]
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Covid and Easing of Truck Safety Regulations
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the incidents of truck crashes in the state of PA are among the highest in the nation. The FMCSA, an arm of the US Department of Transportation, is tasked not only with tracking the safety records of commercial motor vehicles, but also with regulating the industry. They are focused on reducing large truck and bus crashes, injuries and fatalities. They perform roadside inspections, investigate truck crashes and develop and enforce safety regulations.
In 2013, the FMCSA Hours of Service regulations to limit truck driver fatigue went into effect in an attempt to reduce the number of truck crashes. The rules specify the maximum number of consecutive hours that commercial truckers can drive, the frequency and length of their rest breaks and number of hours of required off duty time. […]
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