Welcome to the FastLane: The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation

New Emergency Medical Services website a key resource for keeping our roadways safe

When an accident occurs on one of our nation’s transportation systems, every second counts. So with the help of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program DOT is working to provide the best possible outcome for accident victims and the medical professionals who care for them on the scene.

Since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was first created more than 40 years ago, the EMS program has played a key role in roadway safety.

"We know that our coordinated system of emergency medical services is reducing the tragic toll from traffic crashes on America's roadways," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "NHTSA is more committed than ever to ensuring our EMS systems are equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

As part of that commitment, NHTSA maintains EMS.gov, an online portal for EMS professionals across the country. And last Friday, to mark National Emergency Medical Services Week, NHTSA unveiled a significantly redesigned site. The new site makes it easier for the EMS community to access the latest professional news, training content, events, projects, and other essential safety information.

EMS.gov is a terrific resource for EMS professionals. And because the website helps America's first responders stay current on the latest approaches to care and safety, its benefits extend to all of us who might one day need that care.

FMCSA's unprecedented bus shutdown puts safety first

If you operate a commercial bus service and you put your passengers' safety at risk, we will shut you down.

It's a simple message, and most bus companies get it. But for the past year, we've been investigating a network of operators who don't get it, and today we're making I-95 safer for everyone by taking 26 companies off the road.

At DOT, safety is our number one priority. I say it over and over again, but those words mean nothing unless we back them up with action--good rules and good enforcement.

Today, I'm proud to announce an important action that makes good on our safety promise to bus passengers. Starting yesterday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shut down 26 bus companies that blatantly and repeatedly violated safety rules.

This is the single largest motor coach safety crackdown that DOT has ever undertaken. And now, a network of unsafe bus operators is off our highways. As FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro said, "This is a watershed day for bus safety and every passenger who expects and deserves to arrive safely at their destination."

A stirke force inspector check's a driver's hours-of-service

These operators—Apex Bus, I-95 Coach, and New Century Travel—used drivers who did not hold commercial licenses, and they drove buses that did not meet safety standards. They put passengers and other motorists at serious risk, and shutting them down could save lives.

That’s good news for passengers, and it's good news for the many bus companies that provide good service, use properly trained and licensed drivers, and take safety seriously.

Making room for everyone on America’s streets

Cross-posted courtesy StreetsBlog Capitol Hill

In my "On The Go," series, I only get time to answer a few questions. But--like the Streetsblog community--I never get tired of talking about transportation.

And because Streetsblog readers came through with so many good questions for the May installment of "On The Go," I'm happy to answer two more of those questions here.

Jesse asks: What role does the government (at any level - not just federal) have in changing the public's perception of the streets from a place that is the exclusive domain of cars to public space that should accommodate everyone's needs?

That's a terrific question, Jesse, because it covers a number of issues that are so important to the Streetsblog community. At the US DOT, we have said repeatedly that people on bicycles, people on foot, and people with disabilities are valued stakeholders in what happens with our roadways. At the federal level, we're providing leadership by making it clear that we support all modes of transportation.

Ready to ride with Rep. Earl Blumenauer

And we've put our actions behind those words with grants for complete streets initiatives, better sidewalks, and more bike infrastructure like bike-sharing programs, bike lanes, and off-road paths. The Federal Transit Administration has made it easier for commuters to access transit service by bicycle. The Federal Highway Administration's Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program has demonstrated that Americans want to use their feet to get where they're going.

I'm proud of our record of active support for all who use our roads.

But if you also believe we should make room for everyone on America's streets, there's plenty that you can do. Municipal and county leaders need to know how strongly residents want to incorporate bicyclists and pedestrians into transportation planning. And governors and state legislators need to know as well. The Streetsblog community can certainly help by continuing to educate these leaders and the public about the value of investing in non-motorized transportation.

 

PHMSA's 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook an important tool for first responders

Each day, America's front-line responders arrive on the scene of potentially dangerous hazardous materials incidents. It's a tremendous responsibility and they do a terrific job. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. But we also have the responsibility to make sure our firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and law enforcement officers are prepared with the most current response information should they find themselves on the scene of a hazmat incident.

With the 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook, that's exactly what our Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has delivered.

Through safety standards, supported by inspections and enforcement, PHMSA's highest priority is to ensure the safe movement of hazardous materials to industry and consumers. As our family doctor always advised, prevention is the best medicine.

Preparedness and response are also good medicine. That's why we're releasing the 2012 edition of PHMSA's Emergency Response Guidebook, a comprehensive manual to help deal with hazardous materials during the critical first 30 minutes of an incident.

Emergency responders will use the newly revised guide to identify the specific hazardous materials involved in an incident and the risks associated with those materials. Then, responders can find a list of measures they should take to ensure their own safety and contain the incident as quickly and responsibly as possible.