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MEDIA RELEASE The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has proposed broad new rules for helicopter operators, including air ambulances, which, if finalized, would require stricter flight rules and procedures, improved communications and training, and additional on-board safety equipment. “This is a significant proposal that will improve the safety of many helicopter flights in […]

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MEDIA RELEASE U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced a combined $776 million for urban and rural transit providers in 45 states and the District of Columbia to help bring buses, bus facilities and related equipment into a state of good repair. Money from the Federal Transit Administration’s new State of Good Repair discretionary grant […]

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MEDIA RELEASE U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has unveiled new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research showing that while fewer children died in roadway crashes in 2009, many children are still not using an appropriate child restraint or booster seat. NHTSA’s 2009 child fatality data found that, last year, motor vehicle crashes were the […]

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MEDIA RELEASE U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has unveiled two new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that estimate seat belts saved more than 72,000 lives during the five years between 2005 and 2009, while child restraint systems and minimum drinking age laws saved hundreds more during 2009. “Safety is my number one priority,” […]

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MEDIA RELEASE U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt have announced a landmark proposal to fight fatigue among commercial pilots by setting new flight time and rest requirements based on fatigue science. “This proposal is a significant enhancement for aviation safety,” LaHood said. “Both pilots and passengers will benefit […]

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MEDIA RELEASE U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has released updated 2009 fatality and injury data showing that highway deaths fell to 33,808 for the year, the lowest number since 1950.  The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred even while estimated vehicle miles traveled in 2009 increased by 0.2 percent over 2008 levels. In addition, 2009 […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The U.S. Department of Transportation has unveiled an updated version of Fly Rights: A Consumer Guide to Air Travel, its popular guide to air travelers’ rights. “We take the rights of airline passengers very seriously,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Ensuring that the flying public has access to the best possible resources […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The U.S. Department of Transportation has released new data from the Federal Highway Administration’s 2009 National Household Travel Survey that shows bicycling and walking trips have increased by 25 percent since 2001. The FHWA funded Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center included this data in The National Bicycling and Walking Study: A 15-Year Status […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Air travelers must no longer be subjected to lengthy tarmac delays on domestic flights and will enjoy additional consumer protections as a result of a new rule that took effect Thursday, April 29, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “Airline passengers deserve to be treated fairly, and this new rule will require airlines […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Responding to one of the first major directives of the Obama Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have established new federal rules that set the first-ever national greenhouse gas emissions standards and will significantly increase the fuel economy of all new passenger cars and light […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced the number of overall traffic fatalities reported at the end of 2009 reached the lowest level since 1954, declining for the 15th consecutive quarter. According to early projections, the fatality rate, which takes into account the number of miles traveled, reached the lowest level ever recorded. […]

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MEDIA RELEASE U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the $79 billion budget for the U.S. Department of Transportation continues strong levels of investment for safety, the department’s top priority, along with critical investments for infrastructure to generate economic growth and support livable communities. “President Obama’s budget builds on an historic first year for this Department […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Air travelers will find it easier to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) about airline service, compare the historical on-time and baggage mishandling records of airlines, and find helpful tips about air travel thanks to a redesigned, more user-friendly aviation consumer web site unveiled today by the Department. The Web […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The United States and Japan reached agreement on the text of a landmark Open-Skies aviation agreement, liberalizing U.S.-Japan air services for the carriers of both countries. The agreement was reached after five rounds of negotiations focusing on Open Skies, beginning in May of this year. “Achieving Open Skies with Japan, a major U.S. […]

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