After evaluating a range of solutions, CTDOT confirmed that it will move ahead with a Flex Lane system — a strategy that opens the median shoulder to traffic during the busiest times of day. Design work is already underway, and construction is expected to begin in 2028.

Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto emphasized how impactful the first phase will be, without the heavy disruption residents typically expect from major highway projects. “We are excited to address mobility and safety in this busy corridor through a new innovative solution for Connecticut. By constructing the Flex Lane within the highway’s existing footprint, we’ll be able to quickly make a positive change to people’s commutes without years of construction,” he said.

He also made it clear that community feedback heavily shaped the department’s priorities. “The community has been loud and clear about the need for us to address these bottlenecks, and we have a proven solution that’s going to make a significant improvement within the next five years to help all travelers.”

The Flex Lane concept came out of the I-84 Danbury Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study. That effort took several years and focused on how to improve travel for residents, commuters, businesses, and freight while staying in step with local goals. Dozens of public input sessions helped shape which ideas were developed and which corridor upgrades would move ahead.

While Flex Lanes are the first major step, they’re only part of the larger vision. CTDOT is also planning an intersection project at Main Street and Downs Street/North Street in Danbury to address safety issues and traffic backups at one of the city’s most hectic crossings. Additional concepts under consideration include redesigning on- and off-ramps to reduce merging conflicts and improving multimodal access across nearby roadways.

Residents, commuters, and freight carriers can keep track of all proposals by visiting the Project Alternatives section of the official study website. CTDOT plans to hold future public outreach sessions as the Flex Lane design progresses and other transportation projects shift from planning to development.

With implementation on the horizon, Connecticut is signaling that congestion relief on I-84 and Route 7 is not just a talking point — it’s moving toward reality.

Image: American Transportation Awards
Source: The Trucker

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Each year, the CVSA hosts this campaign to help improve how people drive—not just through enforcement, but by encouraging meaningful conversations between drivers and officers and spreading education where it matters most. This year’s focus? Reckless driving.

As CVSA puts it, reckless driving includes any action behind the wheel that shows “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” That means speeding, texting while driving, tailgating, or getting behind the wheel under the influence could land drivers in trouble. Expect everything from warnings to full citations if you’re caught making risky choices behind the wheel.

Why This Week Matters

The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2023 alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 40,901 traffic-related deaths in the U.S.—only a slight dip from 42,721 the year before. Canada saw 1,931 roadway fatalities in 2022, while Mexico reported a staggering 15,979 deaths that same year.

Operation Safe Driver Week is one way CVSA is working to improve those numbers. The initiative isn’t just about catching drivers in the act—it’s about preventing crashes from happening in the first place.

Enforcement Meets Education

Although enforcement is a major piece of the puzzle, this campaign is also rooted in public education. CVSA is rolling out tools and materials that reach drivers of all kinds—from those just learning to drive to seasoned professionals behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. The organization also distributes public service announcements and downloadable resources to help spread key safety reminders far and wide.

Operation Safe Driver Week combines targeted enforcement with proactive outreach to help drivers slow down, stay focused, and make better decisions on the road.

How to Learn More

Drivers, fleet managers, and safety advocates can all take part in this effort. For educational materials, enforcement details, and downloadable resources to help raise awareness in your community, head over to the CVSA website.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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Work Zone Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

“Work zone safety is a shared responsibility, whether behind the wheel or working on the side of the road,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. He added, “We engineer our roads to be as safe as possible, but no amount of engineering can change driver behavior. 113 TDOT workers have been killed in work zones. Let’s work together to ensure everyone makes it home safely.”

As spring and summer kick off peak construction season, Tennessee’s highways will see crews performing major projects like interstate expansions, roadway repaving, and even essential tasks like litter collection. These work zones are necessary to maintain and improve roadways but come with increased risks for workers and drivers alike.

Last year, Tennessee reported 16 fatalities in work zone crashes. As of this year, there have already been 35 incidents where vehicles crashed into TDOT equipment, including HELP Trucks that assist stranded motorists.

TDOT’s Work Zone Safety Campaign

To combat these alarming statistics, TDOT has been running the “Work with Us—Move Over, Slow Down” safety campaign since 2017. This initiative reminds drivers across Tennessee about the importance of year-round vigilance in work zones. It encourages motorists to take the “Work with Us” pledge to commit to safer driving behavior.

Key messages will be shared on TDOT’s overhead Dynamic Message Signs, which are visible in major cities, including Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. Orange lighting will also illuminate prominent buildings and bridges throughout the state to symbolize the campaign. Additionally, “Work with Us” signs will be stationed near construction areas to further emphasize driver safety.

The Human Impact of Work Zone Incidents

Work zone safety is more than just numbers. Crashes can leave a lasting impact on families, workers, and communities. TDOT reports that 2024 there were 2,318 total crashes in work zones, including 563 that resulted in injuries. These sobering statistics highlight the urgent need for drivers to prioritize safety.

Unfortunately, risks aren’t limited to primary work zones. TDOT’s secondary work zones, where HELP Trucks and other first responders provide assistance, also face significant dangers. These vehicles are often struck while helping motorists, putting workers in harm’s way.

How You Can Help

TDOT urges drivers to take specific actions to protect both themselves and workers:

• Check traffic conditions before leaving: Use TDOT SmartWay to plan your route and avoid unnecessary delays.
• Put your phone away: Secure your device in a hands-free system to eliminate distractions.
• Follow Move Over laws: Slow down and change lanes when you see flashing lights or vehicles in work zones.

Join the Effort to Save Lives

With thousands of crashes and dozens of injuries each year, small actions like reducing speed and staying alert can make a significant difference. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is asking every driver to do their part to help ensure “We All Get Home.”

Source: The Trucker
Image Source: MSN

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A collaborative effort between the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) is in place to address the frequent causes behind both passenger and commercial vehicle collisions.

“The motoring public can expect to see troopers conducting high-visibility patrols on the turnpike through the rest of 2025, focusing on distracted driving, speed enforcement and safety belt usage,” said Lt. Erica Gockstetter. “But we cannot just enforce our way to a safer Ohio Turnpike. To truly create the safest driving environment, we need a commitment from motorists to drive in ways that are responsible and safe.”

Lt. Gockstetter highlighted the importance of safe driving practices for all types of motorists, especially in how passenger vehicles share the road with commercial trucks.

“We want to remind the motoring public to use caution around commercial vehicles. Avoid the no-zone by staying out of the blind areas in the front, back and sides of these vehicles. Do not cut in front of a commercial vehicle, as they require more stopping distance than a passenger vehicle,” she advised. “We equally ask commercial drivers to drive alert, follow the hours-of-service regulations, and be attentive to blind spots when changing lanes. Additionally, driving appropriately for road or weather conditions is crucial.”

Alarming Turnpike Safety Statistics Drive Action

The safety campaign comes on the heels of sobering data from the Ohio Turnpike. Between 2020 and 2024, there were 3,810 crashes caused by speeding, resulting in 18 fatalities and 1,514 injuries. Additionally, 326 accidents involved distractions, resulting in one death and 141 injuries, while 29 fatalities were recorded where safety belts were available but not used.

To address these troubling numbers, OSHP and OTIC are urging drivers to reflect on their habits behind the wheel.

Chris Matta, chief engineer and deputy executive director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, called for a collective effort to change dangerous driving behaviors.

Chris Matta, chief engineer and deputy executive director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, urged drivers of both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks to recognize and address unsafe driving habits, such as aggressive or distracted driving. Taking these steps is crucial to reducing accidents and preventing injuries and fatalities on the Ohio Turnpike and beyond.

Source: Overdrive

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Results of the Enforcement Campaign

Carried out in collaboration with the New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, the campaign spanned October through December. Over the course of 30 separate enforcement operations conducted throughout various regions of the Thruway, authorities issued 7,301 violations, including 31 citations for over-height vehicles.

Here’s a detailed summary of the fourth quarter outcomes:

• Commercial vehicle inspections conducted: 3,767

• Vehicles taken out of service: 997

• Tickets issued: 7,301

These inspections were held statewide, across all four Thruway Authority Maintenance Divisions.

Frank G. Hoare, Executive Director of the Thruway Authority, commented on the importance of this effort, stating, “Bridge hits on the Thruway system are a safety issue and can cause considerable damage to our infrastructure resulting in countless delays for motorists and the diverting of critical resources from highway maintenance and upkeep. The law requires drivers to know the height of their vehicle to mitigate these avoidable incidents and with the increasing number of trucks on the roads, it’s incumbent upon drivers to be vigilant to keep traffic moving.”

A Persistent Infrastructure Challenge

Since 2020, 231 bridge strikes have been recorded across the Thruway, with 56 incidents reported in 2024 alone. One notable event occurred on August 31, 2023, when an over-height tractor-trailer collided with the South Broadway overpass in South Nyack. Following the impact, southbound lanes on I-87/I-287 were closed for approximately 15 hours on September 9, 2023, to remove two damaged girders and stabilize the structure.

The Most Frequently Hit Bridges

Records show that certain bridges experience repeated collisions by over-height vehicles. The top three most affected structures on the New York State Thruway are:

1. Middle Black Brook Road Bridge (Seneca County, I-90, Milepost 318.57)

• Total hits since 2020: 31

• Hits since 2023: 16

1. North Grand Island Bridge Northbound (Niagara County, I-190)

• Total hits since 2020: 23

• Hits in 2024 alone: 8

1. South Broadway Overpass (Rockland County, I-87, Milepost 16.44)

• Total hits since 2020: 14

• Hits in 2024 alone: 3

Know the Rules on Vehicle Height

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law specifies that the maximum height for vehicles, including any load, must not exceed 13 feet, 6 inches. For vehicles exceeding this height, operators must apply for a Special Hauling Permit to travel on the Thruway.

Source: Truckers News

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On Wednesday, Jan. 8, FMCSA shared its plan to conduct a “Study of Warning Devices for Stopped Commercial Motor Vehicles” by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. The goal? To analyze whether warning devices significantly impact drivers’ behavior in scenarios involving parked or disabled CMVs—and, if they do, to determine how and to what extent.

“It is an experimental study that requires data collection for evaluating whether warning devices meaningfully influence crash-relevant aspects of human performance in the presence of a parked or disabled commercial motor vehicle, and if so, how and to what extent,” FMCSA explained in its announcement.

The study is set to involve a sample group of 256 drivers.

Current Regulations on CMV Warning Devices

Under existing rules, all commercial motor vehicles are required to carry warning devices. When a vehicle is stopped on the road or the shoulder—not including cases where traffic conditions prevent it—these devices must be deployed following specific guidelines. Placement depends on various factors, such as whether the roadway is straight or curved.

“These requirements follow from the basic notion that increasing the conspicuity of a parked or disabled commercial motor vehicle makes it easier to see and recognize, thereby reducing the risk of a crash involving passing motorists,” the FMCSA stated.

However, the growing presence of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology has prompted new scrutiny of these longstanding regulations.

Autonomous Vehicles and the Warning Device Debate

Back in December 2024, FMCSA rejected a request from Waymo and Aurora to exempt autonomous trucks from the current warning device requirements.

The companies proposed outfitting their autonomous trucks with mounted warning beacons on the truck cab as an alternative to deploying traditional devices like reflective triangles or flares.

FMCSA declined the application, describing the request as overly broad. Nonetheless, the agency left the door open for exemption applications focused on narrower aspects of the regulation.

Now, the FMCSA is doubling down by launching a formal investigation to determine how effective the current warning device regulations truly are.

Using Modern Tools for a Deeper Analysis

Advancements in technology are providing FMCSA with new ways to measure how drivers respond to warning devices. Tools such as sensors and eye-tracking systems can offer valuable insights into reaction times and levels of driver attention.

“FMCSA plans to implement these modern tools in a controlled experiment at a closed-course, state-of-the-art driving research facility,” the agency said. “This setup will enable the most comprehensive study of warning device effectiveness conducted to date.”

The findings could have far-reaching implications, potentially shaping future regulations around warning devices. Additionally, the data may assist FMCSA in responding to exemption requests for alternative solutions, such as those proposed by Waymo and Aurora.

“FMCSA plans to implement these modern tools in a controlled experiment at a closed-course, state-of-the-art driving research facility that will allow the most comprehensive examination of the effects of warning devices to date,” the agency wrote. “The results of the study may support future rulemaking related to warning devices and provide baseline data necessary to inform agency decisions on exemption applications for alternative warning device products.” FMCSA concluded.

Source: Land Line

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“Every student’s submission to our Road Safety Art Contest not only reflects creativity and imagination – but also the need for all roadway users to focus on safety,” stated Vinn White, FMCSA Deputy. “We look forward to proudly showcasing the winning artwork at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, DC.”

In a congratulatory video, White, along with U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, celebrated this year’s contest, which received nearly 300 submissions from students nationwide.

The Road Safety Art Contest invites students from kindergarten through high school to leverage their artistic skills to promote road safety awareness, particularly around large trucks and buses, whether they’re driving, biking, or walking.

This Year’s Winners:

• Grades K-2:
  • Grand Prize: Hannah Hong, California
  • People’s Choice: Alyssa Robinson, Texas
  • Honorable Mention: Dylan Kim, New Jersey
• Grades 3-5:
  • Grand Prize: Aahana Tiwari, Georgia
  • People’s Choice: William Do, New Jersey
  • Honorable Mention: Claire Wang, New Jersey
• Grades 6-8:
  • Grand Prize: Saanvi Bajaj, Georgia
  • People’s Choice: Aditya Yogesh, Michigan
  • Honorable Mention: Anwesha Joshi, Florida
• Grades 9-12:
  • Grand Prize: Cheyenne Chu, California
  • People’s Choice: Jennifer Choi, California
  • Honorable Mention: Feite Ban, New Jersey

“The announcement of winners also kicks off FMCSA’s national young audience campaign aimed at reaching soon-to-be and new passenger vehicle drivers,” the department stated. “As part of this campaign, FMCSA offers a teen driver toolkit for driver’s education instructors, school counselors, parents, and others to educate new and young passenger vehicle drivers about how to share the road safely with large trucks and buses. This new resource kit includes a lesson plan, presentation, and helpful digital assets for social media.”

The art contest and the young audience campaign are integral components of FMCSA’s efforts to enhance public awareness and education on safe driving practices for both commercial motor vehicle drivers and all roadway users. These initiatives align with the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and Safe System Approach, aiming to foster safe and responsible driving behaviors and create an environment where everyone can reach their destinations safely.

For more details about the Road Safety Student Art Contest and to view high-resolution images of the winning entries, visit FMCSA’s official website.

Source: The Trucker

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“Unsafe driving has become too commonplace on our roads, especially our highways,” said Nicole Majeski, Delaware’s transportation secretary. ” The new Highway Safety Unit sends a strong message to everyone driving on our roads that safety should be everyone’s priority, and DelDOT is pleased to support this collaborative effort with DSHS and DSP.”

The Highway Safety Unit, made up of about 11 officers, will enforce traffic laws on high-traffic roadways. They will patrol Delaware Route 1 and these interstates:

• I-95 (from the Maryland border to the Pennsylvania border)
• I-495 (from south of Wilmington on I-95 northbound to the I-95 merge near the Pennsylvania line)
• I-295 (from I-95 to the Delaware Memorial Bridge)

” As we remain focused on reducing fatalities and crashes in our state, the new DSP Highway Safety Unit enables us to devote full-time resources to proactively address traffic safety priorities,” said Nathaniel McQueen Jr., state safety and homeland security secretary. ” This dedicated unit will be a visible presence on our highways and instrumental in preventing crashes, minimizing injuries and saving lives.”

DSP, DelDOT, and the DSHS Office of Highway Safety may add more highway sections for patrolling based on data on speed, aggressive driving reports, crashes, and drunk driving incidents. According to DelDOT, I-95, I-495, and I-295 are vital freight corridors, handling nearly 70% of the state’s freight transportation. “In 2020, approximately 68.7 million tons of freight worth $101.3 billion moved to, from or within Delaware,” stated DelDOT’s state freight plan.

State police superintendent Col. Melissa Zebley emphasized the collaborative effort to improve roadway safety, saying, “The HSU is a proactive initiative to combat traffic safety challenges in Delaware. We are committed to deploying our resources strategically to address areas of concern and promote safer driving behaviors.”

Traffic safety is a priority for Gov. John Carney. Current initiatives include increased enforcement to deter speeding and distracted driving, more safety investments statewide, additional intersection safety measures, and testing a wrong-way driver notification system.

DelDOT has also launched the “Be DelAWARE” safety campaign and conducted a 2023 Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment. This study identified high-risk roadways and found that most crashes occur from July to October, mainly on Fridays, Thursdays, and Wednesdays between 3 and 8 p.m.

Source: Transport Topics

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