Transportation

Tumwater, WA — Bus drivers who repeatedly open and close manually operated safety shields used as a COVID-19 prevention measure are experiencing symptoms of shoulder injuries, according to a new safety alert from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Washington — A railway crew’s failure to operate within safe speed requirements and the Federal Railroad Administration’s interpretation of a safety regulation were factors in a fatal collision between a BNSF intermodal train and a work train in 2018, the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded.

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial motor vehicle inspectors throughout North America will perform announced and unannounced brake system inspections Aug. 22-28 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration once again is extending temporary hours-of-service exemptions and other “regulatory relief” for commercial motor vehicle drivers transporting items intended to assist with COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts.

Washington — A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine study of the effects of LED roadway lighting on driver alertness and sleep health has found that, despite concerns, LED lighting is no worse than another common type of roadway lighting.

Washington — Prompted by a reported cyberattack that has resulted in a disruption of service along a major petroleum pipeline, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on May 9 issued a temporary hours-of-service exemption to commercial motor vehicle operators transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products to 17 states and the District of Columbia, as part of emergency relief efforts.

Greenbelt, MD — Law enforcement officers will target speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver Week, slated for July 11-17.

Washington — The rate of pedestrian deaths jumped more than 20% in the first half of 2020 as speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recently released report from the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Washington — President Joe Biden has nominated Meera Joshi, acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, to lead the agency on a permanent basis.