All articles tagged with #traffic laws
In San Bruno, police encountered a driverless Waymo vehicle making an illegal U-turn, highlighting legal and regulatory gaps in managing autonomous cars, as legislation is being discussed to address enforcement issues. The incident underscores the need for updated laws and protocols as autonomous vehicles become more common on roads.
A California police department struggled to issue a ticket to a driverless Waymo vehicle that made an illegal U-turn, highlighting legal and procedural challenges surrounding autonomous cars, especially as new laws are being enacted to regulate their behavior and interactions with first responders.
U.S. regulators, specifically NHTSA, are investigating Tesla after videos showed its Robotaxi vehicles acting erratically and potentially violating traffic laws during a limited launch, raising safety concerns and prompting regulatory scrutiny.
Tennessee Republicans are moving to block a policing change in Memphis that was implemented in response to the death of Tyre Nichols, who was fatally beaten by officers during a traffic stop. The change had prevented police from intervening in minor traffic offenses, but the Republican-dominated legislature passed a bill prohibiting such local laws, citing concerns about increased crime. The bill now awaits the approval of Gov. Bill Lee.
The Colorado State Patrol responded to the misconception of how much over the speed limit is acceptable, emphasizing that the posted speed limit should be the top limit. They highlighted the dangers of speeding, including the increased stopping distance and potential for fatal crashes, and pointed out that speeding was the top contributing factor in a significant number of fatal and injury crashes in Colorado. Troopers urged drivers to obey speed limits and emphasized the importance of maintaining safe distances while driving.
Missouri has become the 49th state in the U.S. to implement a statewide ban on texting and driving, leaving Montana as the only state without such a ban. The new law in Missouri prohibits hand-held phone use while driving, including texting, making calls, and reading messages. However, hands-free phone use, navigation, emergency calls, and listening to podcasts or music are still allowed. In Montana, previous attempts to ban texting and driving have failed, with Republicans arguing against their effectiveness and infringement on rights. The Montana Department of Transportation emphasizes the dangers of texting while driving, and recent data shows a 12% increase in fatal crashes involving distracted drivers.
As students head back to school, it is crucial for drivers to remember the rules of sharing the road with school buses. Parents can help keep children safe by ensuring they are dressed in visible clothing and teaching them safety measures like staying 5 giant steps away from the street and waiting for the bus to stop completely before getting off. Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus with flashing red lights and a stop arm extended, except on divided highways with a raised divider. Passing a stopped bus is illegal and can result in fines and license suspension. Additionally, it is important to be hands-free and put down your phone in school zones. The Florida Department of Transportation provides reminders for school zone speed limits, crosswalk safety, bicycle safety, distraction-free driving, and being patient during drop-off and pick-up times.
The Supreme Court has rejected Tulsa's attempt to block a lower court ruling that questioned the city's authority to enforce municipal ordinances, including traffic laws, against Native Americans. The appeals court ruling, based on a 2020 Supreme Court decision expanding tribal authority in Oklahoma, stated that Tulsa no longer had exclusive jurisdiction to issue traffic citations to tribe members. The litigation will continue in lower courts, but Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that the city may have alternative arguments. The 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma designated large portions of eastern Oklahoma as Native American land, including Tulsa, marking a significant victory for tribes. The case involved a Choctaw Nation member contesting a traffic fine, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction due to his Native American status. The city claimed authority under an 1898 law, but the appeals court ruled in favor of the tribal member.
A 7-year-old boy in South Florida was killed when a golf cart driven by a 3-year-old struck him on private property. The incident occurred just weeks after a new law went into effect in Florida, which restricts who can drive a golf cart. Under the law, minors must be at least 15 years old with a learner's permit or 16 years old with a driver's license to operate a golf cart. The crash is currently under investigation, and it remains unclear if anyone will face charges. This is the second fatal golf cart crash in Southwest Florida in the past three months.
A 77-year-old woman from Newark, Delaware, was killed after being struck by a car while attempting to cross a dark street. The impact was so strong that she was launched into the air and landed on another car. The driver of the vehicle that hit her was a 19-year-old man from Elkton, Maryland. There was no crosswalk in the area, and the incident occurred in a poorly lit section of the road. In a separate incident the same night, another pedestrian was critically injured after being struck by a car in Wilmington. Delaware has seen 74 traffic deaths so far in 2023, making it the fifth most dangerous state for pedestrians in the country.
Virginia's Move Over Law, aimed at protecting roadside workers and stranded motorists, will be changing on July 1. The law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles or tow trucks on the side of the road. The change will expand the law's protections to include all stationary vehicles with flashing lights, such as utility and waste management trucks. The move comes after the tragic death of Angela Hurley, who was killed while waiting in her disabled vehicle for help on Interstate 95.
A video posted on Twitter shows that Tesla's Full Self-Driving Beta software can detect pedestrians but may choose not to stop or slow down as it drives past them. The video has raised concerns about pedestrian safety and Tesla's approach to autonomous driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has previously raised concerns about the software, and California law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has called Full Self-Driving "make or break" for the company, but critics argue that it is not truly self-driving and may pose risks to public safety.