Obama administration proposes seatbelts, stronger roof, other safety measures for motorcoaches

Administration to seek seatbelts in motorcoaches

Air France warns pilots to be more careful amid lingering questions about crash of Flight 447

PARIS — In a strongly worded internal memo, Air France has warned its pilots to be more vigilant about safety procedures and upbraided those blaming flight equipment for the crash of Flight 447 into the Atlantic in June.

New York state seeks to crack down on truckers who slam into bridges on unsafe routes

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state wants to crack down on truckers who rely on satellite devices to direct them onto faster but prohibited routes and end up crashing into overpasses that are too low for their rigs.

FAA proposes multimillion-dollar fines against United, US Airways for safety violations

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday proposed levying multimillion-dollar fines against United Airlines and US Airways for safety violations, including flying a plane after mechanics stuffed shop towels into an engine.

Highway deaths fall to record low during the first 6 months of 2009

WASHINGTON — Deaths on U.S. highways have dropped to a record low during the first six months of 2009, continuing a recent trend of fewer people dying on roads.

Obama administration, Congress members looking to ban text messaging from the driver’s seat

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Thursday it will seek to ban text messaging by interstate bus drivers and truckers and push states to pass their own laws against driving cars while distracted.

Obama administration to push for text messaging bans for truck and bus drivers

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the Obama administration will pursue new federal rules that could ban text messaging by truck and interstate bus drivers and urge states to pass laws against distracted driving.

Transportation chief signals goal should put the brakes on drivers texting behind the wheel

WASHINGTON — Determined to stop people from texting while driving, the Obama administration plans a campaign similar to past government efforts to discourage drunken driving and encourage the use of seat belts.

Transportation Department holds summit to find ways of curbing cell phone use by drivers

WASHINGTON — Driving while distracted is a growing peril in a nation reluctant to put down its cell phones and handheld devices even behind the wheel, the Obama administration declared on Wednesday. Officials said Congress and the public must team up to reduce the danger.

Transportation Department kicks off effort to prevent drivers from using mobile devices

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving a “menace to society” Wednesday, kicking off a two-day meeting on preventing drivers from using mobile devices behind the wheel.

Government says nearly 6,000 highway deaths tied to driver distraction in 2008

WASHINGTON — Opening a government meeting on auto safety, the Obama administration reported Wednesday that nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction, a striking indication of the dangers of using mobile devices behind the wheel.

Sullenberger, pilot of plane that splashed down in the Hudson River, returning to the cockpit

TEMPE, Ariz. — The pilot who guided a US Airways flight into New York’s Hudson River will return to flying regular flights along with new duties as a management pilot.

Transportation Dept. kicks off meeting on texting, mobile use by drivers

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving a “menace to society” Wednesday, kicking off a two-day meeting on preventing drivers from using mobile devices behind the wheel.

Teens with own cars have more crashes; parent involvement can cut the risks, research shows

CHICAGO — Parents beware: Giving in to teens’ demands for their own cars can have dangerous consequences, new research suggests.

Feds weigh whether bus, truck drivers should have to hang up their cell phones when driving

WASHINGTON — Safety investigators told federal regulators three years ago that it was dangerous for bus drivers to talk on cell phones while driving, and recommended a ban.

Auto industry group backs ban on handheld texting and cell phone use in cars

WASHINGTON — An auto industry trade group says it supports a ban on texting and using hand-held cell phones while driving in advance of next week’s major government summit on distracted driving.

States offer instant traffic updates via Twitter, sending mixed message on texting and driving

Fiddling with your iPhone behind the wheel can get you fined across much of the nation. But many states are more than happy to tweet you with up-to-the-minute directions on how to steer clear of a traffic jam.

Air France crash: Documents show trouble with airspeed sensors dated back at least 7 years

PARIS — Airbus knew since at least 2002 about problems with the type of speed sensor that malfunctioned on an Air France passenger plane that went down in June, the Associated Press has learned. But air safety authorities did not order their replacement until after the crash, which killed all 228 people aboard.

In reversal, highway safety association supports state laws against texting behind the wheel

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The national association representing state highway safety officials on Sunday threw its support behind a growing movement to ban text messaging by drivers, reversing its previous stand.

Group of senators want states to ban texting while driving or get federal highway money cut

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers called for states to ban texting while driving or face cuts in highway funds, citing the need to reduce driver distraction and potential highway deaths and injuries.