Streetsblog

Monday’s Headlines, Like Transit Funds, Have Arrived

Biden Bucks are showering down on a transit agency near you. Plus, why reckless drivers are so reckless, and RIP football star Dwayne Haskins.

By Blake Aued

12:00 AM EDT on April 11, 2022

Monday’s Headlines, Like Transit Funds, Have Arrived

Image: Gage Skidmore, CC

The U.S. DOT announced the distribution of $20 billion in transit funds, which the Biden administration called the largest investment in transit in history, up 58 percent over last year. (Progressive Railroading)
A reduction in traffic enforcement during the pandemic is partly to blame for a 17 percent increase in traffic deaths during the first half of 2021 (Smart Cities Dive). The data points to a crisis for pedestrian safety (Streetsblog USA).
A new study found that reckless drivers tend to have low levels of the stress hormone cortisol, meaning they show little response to what most people would consider a stressful activity, like driving 150 miles per hour. (Discover)
The electric Hummer could help avert a climate crisis by converting some holdout drivers to electric vehicles, but the ginormous truck is still a hazard to pedestrians and no substitute for making walking, biking and taking transit easier. (The Guardian)
Robin Hutcheson, the acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has been nominated by President Biden to take over the position permanently. (Transport Topics)
A $123 million project to remake K Street in Washington, D.C. with bike and bus lanes is nearing the end of the design phase. (Washington Post)
Surprise, surprise: A proposed gondola system in West Seattle is not feasible, according to Sound Transit. (KING 5)
San Antonio is moving forward with its first bus rapid transit line, thanks to a $158 million federal grant that will cover half the cost. (KSAT)
Fare Free February was the Utah Transit Authority’s busiest month in two years, with over 100,000 average daily riders, up 16 percent from January. (KSL)
A gas-tax freeze would only save the average Illinois resident $15 a year. (News Channel 20)
Drivers have killed 24 people in San Jose this year, triple the figure from this time in 2021. (Spotlight)
Former Ohio State and current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was hit and killed by a dump-truck driver while attempting to cross a South Florida interstate on foot. His death is being investigated as a vehicular homicide. (ESPN)
A newly elected Tampa city council member is focusing on Vision Zero and walkability. (WFTS)
Misinformation is responsible for opposition to bike lanes on Indianola Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. (Dispatch)
A California woman dubbed “Sidewalk Karen” has been charged with assault for pushing a 12-year-old boy who was riding his bike. (Inside Edition)

Blake Aued

Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.

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