via BBC

Today the British government has announced that testing of automated cars will be allowed on public roads from January next year. The tests are then intended to run for between 18 to 36 months. What more innovative is the approach they have taken to doing this.  The government has invited cities to compete to host one of three trials, which would start at the same time.  Cities interested in hosting the trials have until early October to declare their interest and the Department for Transport has created a £10m fund to cover their costs (BBC says the sum to be divided between the three winners but not sure what the criteria would be for this split). Quite novel! Good to see the British government pushing the envelope on its road safety agenda using the driverless cars. Hope this nudges other EU countries (and the rest of the world) to get their act together and pave way for the automated vehicles.

Related articles

• UK could lead the way on driverless cars
• Driverless cars on British roads within a year as ministers change law to allow trials of Google-style vehicles
• Driverless cars on British roads within a year
• Driverless cars on British roads within a year

As alcohol-related accidents tend to increase in the summer months, I’d like to remind you (& all Americans) that buzzed driving can put a stop to summer fun. Here are some surprising facts:

• Nearly twice as many people are killed in auto accidents during the summer months than the rest of the year combined.
• 1 drunken-driving fatality occurred every 51 minutes in 2012
• 35% of all drivers in nighttime fatal crashes who were alcohol-impaired
• 24% of males drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2012 had a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher
• A DUI can cost drivers up to $10,000 — that’s more than three months worth of income for the average working American

But before you down that extra beer and get behind the steering wheel in your vehicle, you might want to take a look at this infograph (via Ad Council):

Image courtesy: via Ad Council

As part of an ongoing “Buzzed Driving” public service campaign, the Ad Council has also partnered with I Heart Radio on a new website with more statistics and resources to help talk to students, kids and friends about safe driving in the summer: iheartradio.com/summerdriving. Help us spread the word and save a few lives.  Stay Safe!

A brilliant animated primer from the ASCE explains what’s at stake for the average American as the highway trust fund is fast nearing its end.. For the uninitiated,the Highway Trust Fund is the US federal funding for roads, bridges, and transit systems, and it is on course to become insolvent by August, jeopardizing America’s infrastructure and its economy. Unless our lawmakers get their act together with extreme urgency, we might be in for some serious trouble and may lose some of the hard fought economic gains quickly…Learn more:http://www.fixthetrustfund.org/

In case you are wondering why the highway trust fund is running out of money, take a peek at this article from Washington Post..

Related articles

• Roadscapes Wednesday: Fix The Trust Fund
• Highway Trust Fund Insolvency to Halt Mississippi Highway and Bridge Projects
• The US will start running out of money for roads in August. Here’s why.
• Highway Trust Fund is running on empty
• Highway Funding: Is 7 Percent a Crisis?
• Why the Highway Trust Fund is running out of money, in 5 graphs

How bad is the road safety problem across the planet? Pretty bad.  The global road death toll has already reached 1.24 million per year and is on course to triple to 3.6 million per year by 2030. In “Roads Kill,” The Washington Post joins with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting to bring stories from around the world about this neglected but easily curable public health crisis.

[pageview url="http://roadskillmap.com/#58.53959476664049,89.296875,2" height="500px" border="yes"]

via Reason.TV

Reason.TV has compiled this funny video (with a subtle jab at the Transportation Security Administration) in time for the holiday travel season. As you board planes this holiday, please be aware of 12 actual banned items from the TSA. :)

We have added one more successful year  serving the community at large. Thanks to the regular readers and occasional visitors, who kept me blogging, despite the occasional lull resulting from an overwhelming workload at my day job.  Now that we are all getting ready take some much needed time off to celebrate the holidays, it is time for me to wish you all a wonderful time with your friends and families.

Take the Buzzed Driving Pledge – Image Courtesy: AdCouncil

Did you know that 137 people died in 2011 during the New Year’s holiday period in drunk driving crashes? So, before you get to open the Christmas gifts that others bought for you, you can give the best gift to yourself. Right now. Take the pledge not to drive while buzzed because you don’t want to ring in the new year with a jail sentence and a $10,000 in legal fees and fines (and not to ignore the guilt of hurting yourself and someone else on the road). Join the 14507 people who have already taken the pledge.  Travel safe and celebrate responsibly.

Costs of Driving Driving – Image Courtesy: AdCouncil

Oh, don’t forget to share this with that friend of yours who likes have that one extra beer before leaving for dinner. Or that crazy uncle who like to go hard on the spiked Egg nog.  Help spread the word and help us build a safer community!

Dear Readers and Subscribers,

I’d like to take a leaf from the AdCouncil’s buzzed driving campaign and reiterate a key safety message, just in time as the holiday season is kicking up into a higher notch. The holidays are a time to celebrate with friends and family. But it’s also a time to make sure you are keeping safe the ones you love. Whether you’re at a family holiday gathering, a New Year’s Eve bash, or driving around with your little ones, many of our social plans will involve driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the winter holiday season (December 26^th to New Year’s Eve) has one of the highest incidences of drunk driving fatalities.

A few alarming stats:

• During last year’s holiday season alone, 830 lives were lost in drunk driving crashes.
• Last year, deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers increased 4.6 percent, taking 10,322 lives compared to 9,865 in 2011.
• Buzzed driving can cost around $10,000 in fines, legal fees and increased insurance rates.

Ring in the New Year safely and plan ahead and designating a sober driver before they go out this year.

Be safe out on the roads.  Encourage your friends and family to avoid driving buzzed.

Image via Barrington Freight

Also, who knew that one can be fined for driving a dirty car in Russia?  Oh well, there are so many such crazy driving laws around the world and Barrington Freight got 50 of them in one awesome infograph.. Check it out

Image Courtesy: Barrington Freight via Huffington Post

JOB TITLE: Research Analyst II/Policy Associate
PROGRAM: Environment, Energy and Transportation Program (EET)
SALARY: $3,245-3,667 per month depending on qualifications
FUNDING: 100 percent grant funds

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

NCSL’s Transportation Program is seeking a Research Analyst II or a Policy Associate to perform legislative research, analysis, writing and program planning. This person will assist with providing quality, unbiased information to state legislators and legislative staff through publications, legislative tracking, meetings and other efforts. The Research Analyst II/ Policy Associate will answer information requests from state legislators, legislative staff and other policy stakeholders on transportation issues
such as revenues for infrastructure, public transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, driver’s licensing, commercial vehicles, traffic safety and other transportation topics.

The Research Analyst II/Policy Associate will also update online bill-tracking databases, draft publications, coordinate meetings, give presentations, compile and summarize legislation, and complete research for program projects including publications, NCSL meetings and off-site trainings and presentations . This professional position requires demonstrated competence in research, writing,
communication, public policy and analytical skills. This position is funded for one year from outside grants and contracts and continuation of the position is subject to the acquisition of additional grant and contract funding.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Typical duties may include some or most of the following:

1. Collects, monitors and analyzes data on legislative actions and state and federal programs using  a range of research skills including legal research, original surveys, in-depth interviews and specialized library resources.
2. Prepares prompt, concise and accurate written responses to legislative requests for information.
3. Under supervision, plans programs and organizes background materials in closely related subject areas for research projects, meetings, conferences and technical assistance workshops.
4. Plans, researches and writes for newsletters, issue briefs, short research reports or articles though most written products are subject to close review and editing by more senior staff.
5. Provides substantial content management and data entry support to the NCSL Transportation Funding and Finance Database, the NCSL Transportation Access and Mobility Database and/or other bill-tracking databases.
6. Develops and delivers presentations to a variety of audiences based on original research on transportation policy topics.
7. Undertakes research and writing for grant and contract proposals.
8. Under supervision, may interact directly with grant and contact project officers and undertake some project management responsibilities.
9. Assist as required with the staffing of relevant NCSL committees, task forces and meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree plus three years of relevant work experience, including at least one year of general policy research, legislative or state government experience. Relevant professional level work experience or graduate level can be substituted on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree is preferred but not required.
• Skill and competence in a range of research skills and tasks.
• Experience with state transportation policy research and analysis.
• Skill and competence in writing clearly and communicating orally.
• Skill and competence to work effectively with legislators and legislative staff.
• Skill and competence to work independently and to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. This includes the ability to balance and prioritize numerous projects at once, to meet deadlines and to effectively communicate how this is happening to supervisors of said projects.
• Able to maintain bi-partisanship, confidentiality and handle politically sensitive work.
• Skill and competence in working cooperatively and professionally with a variety of people, often under pressure.
• The willingness and desire to learn from multiple supervisors.
• Attention to detail and the ability to problem solve and think critically is essential.
• Is well-organized, efficient, flexible and a team player with a positive attitude.

Reply:

Send cover letter and resume by Friday, January 3, 2014, to:
National Conference of State Legislatures
Personnel/AT
7700 East First Place
Denver, CO 80230
Email: hr@ncsl.org

NCSL is an equal opportunity employer.