Mar 27 Little vetting of pilots for mental health, U.S. experts say By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Despite U.S. and international regulations requiring that airline pilots be screened for mental health problems, little effective, real-world checking takes place, pilots and safety experts say. Continue reading
Feb 27 Fiery train wrecks put pressure on safety standards for oil transport By Joan Lowy, Associated Press The most serious oil train accident killed 47 people and destroyed the town center of Lac Megantic in Quebec, Canada, just across the border from Maine, in 2013. Continue reading
Feb 09 Report claims automakers have failed to make cars hacker-proof By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Automakers are cramming cars with wireless technology, but they have failed to adequately protect those features against the real possibility that hackers could take control of vehicles or steal personal data, a member of the U.S. Senate is… Continue reading
Feb 07 Fewer drunk, but more drug-impaired drivers on the road By Joan Lowy, Associated Press The number of drivers on the road with alcohol in their systems has declined by nearly one-third since 2007, but there has been a large increase in drivers using marijuana and other illegal drugs, a government report released Friday found. Continue reading
Jan 28 Sheriffs' organization asks transportation app to turn off police tracker By Eileen Sullivan, Associated Press Police say the Waze feature presents a threat to police safety, and that it interferes with the ability to write speeding tickets. Continue reading
Jan 23 So long, SkyMall, and thanks for all the massage pillows By Ashira Morris In its glory days, SkyMall was “the sole in-flight option for potential purchasers of products to review while traveling,”… Continue reading
Jan 05 Homeland lifts Ebola screenings for travelers from Mali By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department is ending Ebola-related airport screening procedures for travelers from Mali. Continue reading
Jan 04 Congress may consider raising gas tax to address budget shortfall By Associated Press The incoming chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee says raising the federal fuel taxes is among the options under consideration to replenish the dwindling Highway Trust Fund. Continue reading
Dec 30 Despite uptick of airline deaths, 2014 was one of the safest years for flying By Joshua Barajas The loss of AirAsia flight QZ8501 closes a year that has seen a barrage of news reports and images of airplane wreckage and grieving families. That magnified media coverage underscores the tragic fact that 2014 was the deadliest year… Continue reading
Dec 29 Indonesia asks for U.S. help in search or missing plane By Associated Press The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta received a diplomatic note from Indonesian officials on Monday asking for assistance finding the plane. State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke says the U.S. is identifying how best to help, but that it will take some… Continue reading