Friday’s Headlines Keep Our Eyes on the Road, Our Hands Upon the Wheel
Going to the roadhouse in a self-driving car does not mean you're gonna have a real good time.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on April 3, 2026
- Drivers’ over-reliance on autonomous driving features led to several fatal wrecks in 2024, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (CNN). The agency’s chair said during a hearing last week that such features are a convenience, rather than safety enhancements (Associated Press). Even Tesla tacitly admitted that its self-driving vehicles aren’t fully safe when it told a U.S. senator that sometimes humans remotely assume control (Gizmodo).
- Although still not on par with men, women are gaining more leadership positions in the transportation business. (Eno Center)
- The Paralympic Village in Milan showed how to create a truly accessible city. (Teen Vogue)
- The Federal Transit Administration designated $20.6 billion in formula funds for local transit agencies. (Progressive Railroading)
- A group representing major automakers endorsed a vehicle-miles-driven fee to replace the federal gas tax. (Reuters)
- President Trump’s effort to remove a Washington, D.C. bike lane is part of a broader campaign to take control of city streets and return them to cars, writes David Zipper. (CityLab)
- Regardless of whether it lived up to its potential, the demise of the D.C. streetcar leaves a major hole in transit service that bus rapid transit won’t fill for years, if ever. (WAMU)
- With Atlanta Beltline light rail stalled, nearby residents are split on whether to fight for the original vision with transit or keep it as a walking/biking trail. (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
- Unsurprisingly, Georgia drivers felt little relief when Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state’s 33-cent gas tax. But some acknowledged that encouraging more transit use might be a benefit. (WABE)
- Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced that Sound Transit could break ground on the West Seattle light rail extension ahead of schedule. (KING)
- Minnesota Republicans in Congress are trying to block federal funding for two light rail lines. (KSTP)
- The new South Shore Line Extension connecting Chicago with communities in northern Indiana is now open. (Metro Magazine)
- Richmond’s proposed budget allocates $105 million over five years for sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, traffic calming and other safety measures. (Axios)
- A WFAE podcast talked with the interim director of Charlotte Area Rapid Transit about safety and future expansion.
- A Wisconsin couple is riding 2,200 miles from Mobile to Boston on a tandem bicycle to promote their bike safety nonprofit. (WBAY)
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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