Monday’s News Goes from Bad to Worse

Black Americans are 12 percent of the population but accounted for 34 percent of increased traffic deaths from 2020 to 2022. Plus other news.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on August 19, 2024

Joel Kurth/Bridge Michigan.|

A Detroit family walks down a street with no sidewalks.

The pandemic spike in traffic deaths disproportionately affected Black, brown, young, low-income and less educated Americans, who were already more like to be killed by drivers. (Forbes)
In the next surface transportation bill, Congress could make it easier for small cities to apply for and administer grants. (Route Fifty)
The U.S. DOT is taking the first step toward V2X technology allowing vehicles to communicate with each other, which could prevent thousands of crashes. (NPR)
The University of Minnesota is testing onboard systems that warn drivers about upcoming red lights. (Crossroads)
A Chinese study found that "car lite" households that use e-bikes took 19 percent fewer car trips, but made almost the same number of trips on public transit. (Momentum)
Civil rights and environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the expansion of I-94 in Milwaukee. (Journal-Sentinel)
Supporters of light rail on the Atlanta Beltline gathered to pressure Mayor Andre Dickens, who has grown lukewarm on the project. (AJC)
If Chicago transit agencies have to cut service when federal COVID funds run out, drivers will be affected, too, because putting more cars on the road will create gridlock. (Sun-Times)
A San Diego transportation plan currently taking shape calls for increased bus service in the short term while new transit infrastructure is built out. (Axios)
Philadelphia cyclists are lobbying the city to stop issuing permits to churches allowing parishioners to park in bike lanes for Sunday services. (CBS News)
After a settlement on wages with the Massachusetts attorney general, Uber and Lyft are weighing whether to oppose a ballot initiative on drivers' labor rights. (Boston Herald)
Some Denver residents are worried that bus rapid transit on Colfax Avenue will divert speeding traffic onto surrounding streets. (Westword)
New public art in Milwaukee is meant to draw attention to the issue of reckless driving. (Fox 6)