New NHTSA Report Shows Seat Belt Use at Record High

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An overwhelming majority of the millions of families traveling our nation’s highways this Thanksgiving weekend, one of the busiest travel times of the year, will be buckling up, according to new survey results released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  New NHTSA research shows that nationwide seat belt use reached an all-time high of 86 percent in 2012.

“When it comes to driving safely, one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family is to use a seat belt,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This Thanksgiving holiday, we’re urging everyone on our roadways to buckle up – every trip, every time.”

According to NHTSA’s annual National Occupant Protection Use Survey, seat belt use has steadily increased since 1994, with the record high of 86 percent in 2012 representing a two percent increase over the previous year. Among the most dramatic increases in seat belt use were in the southern region of the country, rising to 85 percent in 2012—up from 80 percent in 2011. Seat belt use continues to be higher in states that have primary belt laws, which permit law enforcement officers to issue citations to motorists solely for not using a seat belt rather than requiring additional traffic violations.

“Thanks to the ongoing work of our state and local partners and national efforts such as ‘Click it or Ticket,’ we’ve made steady gains in belt use in recent years,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “Moving forward, it will be critical to build on this success using a multi-faceted approach that combines good laws, effective enforcement, and public education and awareness.”

Nationwide, 32 states and the District of Columbia have passed primary laws requiring seat belt use, while another 17 states have secondary laws on the books. New Hampshire is the only state that has not enacted either a primary or secondary seat belt law, though the state’s primary child passenger safety law applies to all drivers and passengers under the age of 18.

Click here to view NHTSA’s seat belt survey.

Can you believe this traffic? Health consequences of a long commute (CNN)

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There's an excellent article over at CNN regarding the mental and physical health consequences of a long commute.  It identifies many of the factors that cause driving related stress, including in car distractions,  other drivers, commute time, and road rage.

Here's an excerpt:
Long-term stress increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, he says. Research on the precise level of cardiovascular risk is limited, but recent data doesn't paint a flattering picture for the vehicular commuter.

A 2012 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that the farther people commute by vehicle, the higher their blood pressure and body mass index is likely to be. Also, the farther the commute, the less physical activity the person was likely to get.

Experts recommend making the extra effort to avoid peak driving hours. You may even end up getting home at the same time as if you had left earlier.

E Stadium Bridges Reopen to Traffic

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East Stadium Boulevard is open to traffic! As of 4:15 pp, November 14, 2012. Drivers can anticipate single lane closures between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on East Stadium Boulevard for the next couple of weeks. At least one lane of traffic in each direction will always be open. Please drive carefully and enjoy the new bridges!

Details on Future Bridge Lane Closures
Location and Limits of Affected Area:
East Stadium Boulevard from Kipke Drive to South Industrial Highway

Description of Work:
Landscaping and other related work

Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
November 15, 2012 – November 30, 2012
Single lane closures, on eastbound and westbound East Stadium Boulevard, will be implemented between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m..  One lane of vehicular traffic will be maintained in each direction during these hours.  Pedestrian traffic will be maintained on either the north or south sidewalk of East Stadium Boulevard during these hours as well.




Seat Belt Law Analysis

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For those interested in the discussion of the effectiveness of Michigan's mandatory seat-belt use law, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Wayne State University have independently developed two documents analyzing the impact of the current law.  These might be useful when fielding questions regarding the impact of the law on the Governor's Dashboard goals for traffic safety.

Seat Belt Use and Traffic Fatality Statistics

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Wayne State University has provided updated seat-belt use rates for 2012.   Based on the September statewide use survey, seat-belt use is down slightly from 94.5 percent in 2011 to 93.6 percent in 2012.

Variables that might be influencing the decline include::  

  • Traffic enforcement statewide is down for all types of violations (dropping at a rate of 10 percent per year);
  • Number of on-road officers, deputies, and troopers is down dramatically and the amount of discretionary patrol time is down as well;
  • Many agencies have gone to modified shifts to address coverage issues (i.e. 12 hour shifts);
  • There is a greater focus on crime at the expense of traffic enforcement;
  • Some agencies are experiencing well-publicized budget and labor issues due to budget cuts, salary reductions, increases to employee contributions to cover health care and retirement, etc.

Also, we have new year-to-date summaries of Great Lakes Region traffic fatalities.  While Michigan's traffic fatalities increased from 2011 to 2012, the increase was relatively smaller than seen in Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.



Single-Lane Closure on I-94 at Sargent Road in Jackson to start on Oct. 21

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Roadway:
I-94 at Sargent Road (Jackson County)
                                                                                                                                              
Dates Effective:
Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012-Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012

Project:
As part of improvements this year to the I-94/Sargent Road interchange (Exit 145), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will remove the I-94 bridge at the I-94 Business Loop (BL), just west of Sargent Road (Exit 144).

Traffic Restrictions:
For the bridge removal, I-94 will be reduced to one lane in each direction around-the-clock for two weeks. Traffic will be maintained using median crossovers.

Motorists are advised to plan extra time when traveling through the corridor during this two-week period. An alternate route is strongly advised, especially at key times of the day such as morning and afternoon rush hour. Back-ups are expected.


                    

University of Michigan Distinguished Alumnus Lecture- Peter Lagerwey

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The University of Michigan is hosting a Distinguished Alumnus Lecture with Peter Lagerwey on Friday October 12, 2012.  Mr. Lagerwey has spent his career working to expand non-motorized transportation options in cities and regions across the country.  Visit the event's Facebook page or website for more information.   

From the website:
In communities across the country, a movement is growing to “complete” the streets. States, cities, and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build roads that enable safe access for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of travel. In the process, they are creating better communities for people to live, play, work, and shop.

Peter Lagerwey, who earned his master of urban planning degree from UM’s Taubman College in 1981, is a nationally-known expert in alternative transportation issues. For the last three decades—many years before these issues were on the table—he has worked on non-motorized transportation projects. He was responsible for developing and implementing the widely acclaimed Seattle Bicycle Master Plan, giving the city its reputation as “the most bike-friendly city of its size” as well as one of America’s most livable cities.

TheRide Proposes Increased Route 5 Service Between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti

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The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) is seeking comments through November 5, 2012 about proposed service improvements that would go into effect in late January, 2013 on the Route 5 – Packard bus service between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
 
Ridership on Route 5 is the third largest of TheRide’s routes at 645,000 trips annually.
 
TheRide is proposing to increase the number of buses on the route from five to seven during morning and afternoon peak hours.
 
According to Chris White, TheRide’s manager of service development, the increased service will result in:
  • Less crowded buses
  • More consistent on-time performance
  • Revised times on most trips
  • More frequent service in  some areas
  • More direct trips with shorter travel time in some areas
Midday, evening, and weekend service will be unchanged.
 
Persons or organizations having questions or wishing to comment on the proposed changes may do so no later than Monday, November 5 by one of the following methods:
  • By computer: Comment or ask questions by email to aatainfo@theride.org (put “Service Changes” in subject line).
  • By phone: Call the service change hotline at 734.794.1880.
  • By fax: To 734.973.6338 (put “Service Changes” in subject line).
  • By mail: AATA Service Changes, 2700 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
  • At a public information drop-in session:
  • Michigan Union, 530 South State Street, first floor, in rear area of Amer’s coffee shop; Tuesday, October 23, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
  • Bryant Community Center, 3 W. Eden Ct., Ann Arbor; Wednesday, October 24, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Details on the proposed changes will be posted on TheRide’s website at www.TheRide.org.

Data Shows Where Workers Relying More on Public Transportation

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A recent article in Governing Magazine, which covers municipal governance and policy, looks at some of the increases seen in transit ridership around the United States.  The article highlights some of the transit ridership gains in Ann Arbor, as more and more residents rely on transit for their work commute.  Check out the original article at Governing, or take a look at an interactive map that compares ridership nationwide.