Transportation

Washington – The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Belt Partnership is accepting submissions for the 2015 “Be Ready. Be Buckled.” children’s contest, looking for the best artwork that encourages commercial truck and bus drivers to buckle up behind the wheel.

Arlington, VA – Budget constraints have prevented the U.S. Postal Service from making critical safety repairs, concludes a new report from the Office of Inspector General.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is changing how it records truck and bus driver safety violation data, allowing states to update certain violations or have them removed.

Washington – The Federal Railroad Administration issued a final rule Nov. 29 that requires new or improved safety features on passenger trains to help occupants evacuate in an emergency.

Washington – Pilots with a body mass index of 40 or higher – an advanced level of obesity – will soon be required to be screened for obstructive sleep apnea during routine medical certification exams.

Washington – Many new motorcoaches and large buses will be required to have lap and shoulder belts installed in every seat beginning in late 2016, according to a final rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Washington – The rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work dropped in 2012 from the previous year, but the median number of days away increased slightly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Washington – A Senate bill introduced Nov. 13 would require new rest regulations for pilots – set to go into effect in January – to include cargo aircraft pilots, who previously were exempted.

Washington – An audit has begun on the Federal Aviation Administration’s progress on improving the safety of helicopter air ambulance operations, as requested by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee in April.

Washington – Traffic-related deaths increased 3.3 percent in 2012 from 2011 – the first annual increase since 2005 – according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.