2010: A year of safety, supporting economic recovery at DOT

With the holiday season in full swing, another year will soon be behind us.  And when I think back on 2010, I couldn't be prouder of everything the Department of Transportation has accomplished.

Our roadways are the safest they've ever been.  In September, NHTSA announced that 2009 saw the lowest highway fatality and injury rates ever recorded.  And much of that success can be attributed to DOT's comprehensive safety programs.  It also means Americans are getting the message that driving safely means putting away your cell phone, buckling up, and not getting behind the wheel when you've had too much to drink.

Fielding questions at a press conference with NHTSA Administrator David Strickland

But that doesn't mean we're resting on our laurels.  Through our annual "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" campaign, we are promoting a new "No Refusal" initiative that will help keep drunk drivers off our roads and save even more lives.

And our Department-wide initiative to end distracted driving has gained even more momentum in 2010.  This year, we held a second national Distracted Driving Summit and proposed rules that would prohibit hand-held cell phone use by commercial drivers and ban texting behind the wheel for drivers of hazardous materials.

Turning to aviation, flying is safer and more efficient because of the work of DOT and FAA. 

2010 brought increased consumer protections for air travelers

In 2010, we made major strides forward by modernizing air travel through NextGen, improving safety standards, and protecting consumers' rights when they fly. We also broke years of deadlock and proposed new rules that would combat pilot fatigue by making sure pilots are well-rested every time they get into the cockpit.

One of our other major priorities this year has been to continue supporting our nation's economic recovery. President Obama's historic investment in transportation has supported more than 15,000 infrastructure projects across the country. And because of the president's leadership, and the hard work of men and women at DOT, Recovery Act investments have put tens of thousands of Americans to work rebuilding our transportation systems.

FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez (right) stands beneath the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore road header

These projects range from highways, bridges, and buses to ports, airports, and rail lines.  It also includes $8 billion in awards to begin laying the groundwork for a national high-speed intercity passenger rail network and $1.5 billion in discretionary TIGER grants to fund innovative transportation projects across the country.

And the transportation projects we were able to fund with Recovery Act dollars have far-reaching benefits.  They're jump starting new economic opportunities.  They're supporting sustainable, livable communities.  And they're creating jobs and supporting American families.

The Pilot Fatigue Rulemaking Team takes the stage at the US DOT's 2010 Secretary's Awards ceremony

Of course, these advances--and so many more--would not have been possible without the dedicated men and women who work on behalf of DOT and the American people every day.  And these same folks will be leading our charge into the new year.

So even though 2010 was a great year here at the Department, I know the best is still ahead of us.  I look forward to making even greater strides in 2011.

Comments

[Stephen Phoeung]

Distracted Drivers:

Possible solution to the epidemic are acceptable for the US Citizens. Well. Most of the new version of the mobile devices are GPS capable, and that mean the system is able to tell or predict the motion/speed -- like the Garmin GPS. So, with that in mind, the Washington can ratified a law to have all mobile companies to device a Software to Disable all incoming and outgoing call except outgoing emergency call. The mobile phone Only work at 25MPH, speed of a runner. And anytime, the speed >25 mph, all phone commands should be Disabled.

Second, the engineers should make the Driver seat a Radio Antenna to Disable mobile phone confine only to the driver seat. The seated metal frame can act as antenna to jam the phone signal.

SP

[Leigh J. Webb]

Hi, I am involved with several high schools in SE Georgia, and was getting ready to use money from a Family Connections donation,to purchase some signs for parking lots to remind everyone to buckle up. However after thinking about the new cell phone laws and texting and need to promote this as well. I wondered if you had any examples of traffic signs that convey both messages? Leigh Webb

Leigh J. Webb
41068 Ollifftown Rd
Twin City, GA 30471

Cell Phone-912-682-6507
Home Phone-478-763-3448

[Michael E. Bailey]

DOT has had a great year. And in large part to to the ARRA transportation infrastructure funding, the economy is on the way back. Some don't want to beleive it for purely political reasons, but the ecomony is on the way back in many areas, except maybe housing. And housing is expected to begin its recovery in 2011. The changes for transportation and the economy have been major and positive ones in 2010; and the best are still yet to come. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.