On The Road To Safety http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120539465&ft=1&f=120539465 In the past 40 years cars have gotten safer, and highway deaths have dropped as well. But as new technologies emerge, so do new risks. Are we on the road to greater safety? Or have we sped past the era of declining fatalities? This week NPR explores these and other matters on the air and at NPR.org. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif On The Road To Safety http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120539465&ft=1&f=120539465 The Deadliest Roads Are Rural The roads traveled least are the nation's deadliest roads, according to federal highway data. More Americans die on rural highways than on urban streets and freeways. U.S. Highway 6 in Utah in particular has earned a reputation as a deadly rural road. Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2009/11/29/120716625/the-deadliest-roads-are-rural?ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/2009/11/29/120716625/the-deadliest-roads-are-rural?ft=1&f=120539465 The roads traveled least are the nation's deadliest roads, according to federal highway data. More Americans die on rural highways than on urban streets and freeways. U.S. Highway 6 in Utah in particular has earned a reputation as a deadly rural road.

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]]> Letter To A Speed Demon Erica Molitor tells her fellow commuters that driving fast and furious is not the way to a woman's heart. Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120582677&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120582677&ft=1&f=120539465 Erica Molitor tells her fellow commuters that driving fast and furious is not the way to a woman's heart.

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]]> Reining In Tailgate Parties A Challenge For Colleges Safety experts cite concerns about underage drinking, drunken driving and other risky behaviors. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:52:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120551372&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120551372&ft=1&f=120539465 Safety experts cite concerns about underage drinking, drunken driving and other risky behaviors.

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]]> Small Cars Don't Get Any Respect When Lisa Troch is behind the wheel of her Mini Rover, she says other drivers treat her like she's invisible. Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120580720&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120580720&ft=1&f=120539465 When Lisa Troch is behind the wheel of her Mini Rover, she says other drivers treat her like she's invisible.

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]]> Waging War On Distracted Driving Nineteen states have banned texting while driving. It's part of a growing movement to crack down on mobile phone usage behind the wheel that is reminiscent of earlier campaigns against drunk driving. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120778418&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120778418&ft=1&f=120539465 Nineteen states have banned texting while driving. It's part of a growing movement to crack down on mobile phone usage behind the wheel that is reminiscent of earlier campaigns against drunk driving.

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]]> On Two Wheels, The Road Looks Different As soon as Caroline Keem started commuting to work on a bike, she learned the hard lessons of the road. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120580954&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120580954&ft=1&f=120539465 As soon as Caroline Keem started commuting to work on a bike, she learned the hard lessons of the road.

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]]> Personal Rapid Transit: Future Or Elevated Fantasy? Transportation planners are banking on a futuristic network of ecofriendly computer-automated pod cars as the next smart form of mass transit. Several U.S. cities are doing feasibility studies for personal rapid transit systems, and Britain's Heathrow Airport plans to launch its system in the spring. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:35:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120590726&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120590726&ft=1&f=120539465 Transportation planners are banking on a futuristic network of ecofriendly computer-automated pod cars as the next smart form of mass transit. Several U.S. cities are doing feasibility studies for personal rapid transit systems, and Britain's Heathrow Airport plans to launch its system in the spring.

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]]> Automakers Help Aging Drivers Travel More Safely Some car companies are developing high-tech solutions to help older people drive more safely and let them hold on to their car keys longer. Ford uses special "aging suits" and virtual reality to help designers and engineers see aging drivers' limitations. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:29:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120766921&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120766921&ft=1&f=120539465 Some car companies are developing high-tech solutions to help older people drive more safely and let them hold on to their car keys longer. Ford uses special "aging suits" and virtual reality to help designers and engineers see aging drivers' limitations.

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]]> When Emotions Go Into Overdrive Alissa Corby says drivers should make eye contact to help reduce road rage. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:46:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120570877&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120570877&ft=1&f=120539465 Alissa Corby says drivers should make eye contact to help reduce road rage.

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]]> Teenage Boys More Likely To Be In Fatal Car Crashes The number of teenage drivers involved in fatal car crashes has dropped dramatically in the past decade. But in those wrecks, male drivers still outnumber females by more than 2 to 1. For Basil Rynestead of Fauquier County, Va., it's a battle against peer pressure and inexperience to stay safe on the road. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:16:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537839&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537839&ft=1&f=120539465 The number of teenage drivers involved in fatal car crashes has dropped dramatically in the past decade. But in those wrecks, male drivers still outnumber females by more than 2 to 1. For Basil Rynestead of Fauquier County, Va., it's a battle against peer pressure and inexperience to stay safe on the road.

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]]> How To Make Trucks Safer On Highways Last year, over 4,000 people died as a result of truck related accidents. As part of NPR's series, <em>On The Road To Safety,</em> guests look at what's being done to make big rig driving on the long haul safer for truck drivers and for motorists. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120833750&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120833750&ft=1&f=120539465 Last year, over 4,000 people died as a result of truck related accidents. As part of NPR's series, On The Road To Safety, guests look at what's being done to make big rig driving on the long haul safer for truck drivers and for motorists.

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]]> Why You're Not The Great Driver You Think You Are Our sense of what's dangerous on the road is not always accurate, according to Tom Vanderbilt, author of <em>Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do.</em> Take roundabouts: "People fear roundabouts in America — they've been called 'Circles of Death,' Vanderbilt says. "And nothing could be further from the truth." Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:43:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120541921&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120541921&ft=1&f=120539465 Our sense of what's dangerous on the road is not always accurate, according to Tom Vanderbilt, author of Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do. Take roundabouts: "People fear roundabouts in America — they've been called 'Circles of Death,' Vanderbilt says. "And nothing could be further from the truth."

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]]> Safe Driving For Seniors: Officials Get Creative A University of Florida study predicts that within 15 years, 1 in 4 drivers in the U.S. will be age 65 and older. As they get older, seniors may be less safe on the roads, so state and university officials and the AARP are putting together programs to help seniors drive better — and in some cases, get them off the roads. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:07:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537339&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537339&ft=1&f=120539465 A University of Florida study predicts that within 15 years, 1 in 4 drivers in the U.S. will be age 65 and older. As they get older, seniors may be less safe on the roads, so state and university officials and the AARP are putting together programs to help seniors drive better — and in some cases, get them off the roads.

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]]> What Would You Give Up For Safer Roads? As part of NPR's "On The Road To Safety" series, we'll ask listeners what they'd be willing to do for safer roads. Tell us: Would you pay more taxes for better highways? Ban cell phone use entirely? Take the keys from mom and dad? Change speed limits? Buy different cars? Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120769728&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120769728&ft=1&f=120539465 As part of NPR's "On The Road To Safety" series, we'll ask listeners what they'd be willing to do for safer roads. Tell us: Would you pay more taxes for better highways? Ban cell phone use entirely? Take the keys from mom and dad? Change speed limits? Buy different cars?

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]]> The Urban Road Is A Dangerous Place Driver Carrie Richardson feels the heat from an impatient driver and a patient jaywalker. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120579902&ft=1&f=120539465 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120579902&ft=1&f=120539465 Driver Carrie Richardson feels the heat from an impatient driver and a patient jaywalker.

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