Dr. Gridlock - The transportation guide around the Beltway and beyond.

Posted at 01:59 PM ET, 07/31/2012

D.C. toughens drunk driving law, restores breath test

By Robert Thomson

A revised law to take effect Wednesday adds penalties and allows police to resume the suspended breath-testing program.

By Robert Thomson | 01:59 PM ET, 07/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: District, Traffic Safety | Tags: DC transportation, D.C. police, Drunk driving

Posted at 12:52 PM ET, 06/08/2012

GW Parkway/Mount Vernon Trail crossing to get safety upgrades

By Robert Thomson

The National Park Service plans to make safety improvements at the dangerous places on the George Washington Parkway near Memorial Circle.

By Robert Thomson | 12:52 PM ET, 06/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety | Tags: DC transportation, Virginia Transportation, George Washington Parkway, Mount Vernon Trail, Biking

Posted at 01:36 PM ET, 06/07/2012

Cellphone laws don’t persuade all drivers to put gadgets down

By Robert Thomson

A Virginia driver says California can show us the way to limit cellphone use, but studies suggest not all get the message even when hand-held devices are banned.

By Robert Thomson | 01:36 PM ET, 06/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Driving, Traffic Safety | Tags: DC transportation, Transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation, District Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Transportation, Distracted driving

Posted at 08:59 AM ET, 05/17/2012

Nats fan offers ballpark travel tips by Circulator, Metro

By Robert Thomson

Metro’s Green Line to Nationals Park is never a problem, baseball fan says, but return is something else

By Robert Thomson | 08:59 AM ET, 05/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Metro, Events, District, Driving, Highways, Traffic Safety, Transit | Tags: DC transportation, Metro, WMATA, Nationals, Virginia Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Transportation

Posted at 09:54 AM ET, 05/15/2012

D.C. speed camera locations expanding by 25

By Robert Thomson

The D.C. police department is adding more than 25 locations for speed camera enforcement.

By Robert Thomson | 09:54 AM ET, 05/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, District, Driving | Tags: DC transportation, District Department of Transportation, DC police, Speed cameras

Posted at 02:11 PM ET, 04/25/2012

‘Orange Cones. No Phones’: Safety officials focus on phones in work zones

By Robert Thomson

Transportation safety officials gathered at a new bridge in the 495 Express Lanes work zone to renew their campaign against distracted driving.

By Robert Thomson | 02:11 PM ET, 04/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Capital Beltway | Tags: DC transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation, 495 Express Lanes

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 04/10/2012

Maryland drivers confront a busy road construction season

By Robert Thomson

Maryland’s highway administrator joined with State Police in a plea for safety on the roads as many projects get underway in the D.C. suburbs this spring.

By Robert Thomson | 04:57 PM ET, 04/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety | Tags: DC transportation, Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of Transportation, Capital Beltway

Posted at 04:44 PM ET, 03/28/2012

Street Smart campaign: Getting smart about traffic safety

By Robert Thomson

Law enforcement agencies in the D.C. region launched their latest Street Smart campaign.

By Robert Thomson | 04:44 PM ET, 03/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 03/28/2012

Driver says courtesy can be counterproductive

By Robert Thomson

A driver tells Dr. Gridlock that motorists in the D.C. area may be getting too polite.

By Robert Thomson | 09:14 AM ET, 03/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Driving | Tags: DC transportation

Posted at 10:28 AM ET, 02/23/2012

Older drivers, and governments, face challenges

By Robert Thomson

A new study by TRIP, The Road Information Program, says Baby Boomers are likely to be more active in retirement than previous generations, but they, their families and governments should be concerned about maintaining their mobility.

By Robert Thomson | 10:28 AM ET, 02/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety | Tags: Older drivers, Traffic safety,

Posted at 12:12 PM ET, 11/29/2011

Round-the-clock safety needed in work zones

By Robert Thomson

Dr. Gridlock addresses this frequently asked question: “Do work zone speed limits apply even on a holiday or Saturday when no work is being done?”

By Robert Thomson | 12:12 PM ET, 11/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011

New curb warnings launch Street Smart campaign

By Robert Thomson

On a road in Silver Spring, where many pedestrians have been injured, Montgomery County and the Maryland Department of Transportation have installed “Do not cross” curb markers to counter jaywalking.

By Robert Thomson | 09:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 02:17 PM ET, 08/08/2011

Maryland state police target Route 50 HOV violators

By Robert Thomson

Maryland state police say they’re going to focus their traffic law enforcement campaign on Route 50’s High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in Prince George’s County on Wednesday morning.

By Robert Thomson | 02:17 PM ET, 08/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Maryland

Posted at 03:33 PM ET, 08/06/2011

Police crackdown on Maryland Beltway

By Robert Thomson

Maryland state police say they are in the midst of a campaign against bad driving in the D.C. area.

By Robert Thomson | 03:33 PM ET, 08/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Capital Beltway

Posted at 12:55 PM ET, 08/03/2011

New speed camera in I-270 work zone

By Robert Thomson

Maryland is adding speed camera enforcement to another highway work zone in the D.C. region.

By Robert Thomson | 12:55 PM ET, 08/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Construction, Maryland

Posted at 12:21 PM ET, 08/02/2011

Capital Beltway gets first speed cameras

By Robert Thomson

Speed enforcement cameras are now in use along two work zones on the Capital Beltway in Maryland.

By Robert Thomson | 12:21 PM ET, 08/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Capital Beltway, Traffic Safety, Maryland

Posted at 02:51 PM ET, 06/09/2011

Speed cameras coming to Beltway work zone

By Robert Thomson

Speed cameras are about to make their first appearance on the Capital Beltway, in a long-term work zone on the Beltway bridge over Northwest Branch.

By Robert Thomson | 02:51 PM ET, 06/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Capital Beltway, Traffic Safety, Maryland

Posted at 11:05 AM ET, 04/27/2011

One driver’s courtesy is another’s aggression

By Robert Thomson

Is there such a thing as regional etiquette among drivers?

By Robert Thomson | 11:05 AM ET, 04/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Driving

Posted at 10:19 AM ET, 04/05/2011

Highway departments stress work zone safety

By Robert Thomson

Commuters on Route 29 and I-95 pass through long work zones for Maryland’s Intercounty Connector. Drivers on the Capital Beltway in Virginia feel like they’re in a continuous work zone.

By Robert Thomson | 10:19 AM ET, 04/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 03:23 PM ET, 02/01/2011

Examining rail safety

By Luke Rosiak

Yesterday, we wrote that the Government Accountability Office faulted the Federal Transit Administration for its record-keeping of dangerous incidents on subway, passenger and freight railways.

By Luke Rosiak | 03:23 PM ET, 02/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety | Tags: Online tools

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 01/26/2011

Zigzag paint slows drivers at crossing

By Robert Thomson

Virginia transportation officials are pleased with the results of an experiment launched in 2009 to see if drivers would slow for a trail crossing if they saw zigzagging white lines painted along the approach roads.

By Robert Thomson | 09:00 AM ET, 01/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, VDOT

Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 01/12/2011

New countdown signals in Bethesda

By Robert Thomson

Montgomery County has installed pedestrian countdown signals at five busy intersections on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. There were 17 pedestrian accidents in this area from 2005 to 2009, according to county statistics, so it's a good target zone for safety enhancements like this. Countdown signals are generally popular where they have been installed in the D.C. region and across the nation. They give pedestrians and drivers the comfort of knowing how long a signal cycle will last. But what's their role in safety?

By Robert Thomson | 12:15 PM ET, 01/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety | Tags: Dr. Gridlock

Posted at 12:55 PM ET, 12/13/2010

Toyota recalls Sienna minivans

By Associated Press

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest automaker, is recalling 94,126 model year 2011 Sienna minivans because brakes may become partially stuck.

By Associated Press | 12:55 PM ET, 12/13/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety

Posted at 09:25 AM ET, 12/06/2010

Maryland's 'Move Over' law

By Robert Thomson

This traveler's message to me started off with some holiday getaway guidance, but then took an unfortunate turn: "On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I avoided I-95 and took Route 301 through Maryland. There was no traffic and it was a very nice drive, with one exception. I got a ticket for failing to move one lane to the left when passing a state police car parked on the right shoulder. I must pay a $110 fine!

By Robert Thomson | 09:25 AM ET, 12/06/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, travel tips

Posted at 09:45 AM ET, 11/19/2010

Car shouldn't be your office

By Robert Thomson

Does your boss expect you to be talking on the phone or texting while you are driving? A new survey of Capital Beltway drivers found that half of them say they are at least occasionally using the phone to respond to work issues. Only 18 percent said they never get on the phone for work.

By Robert Thomson | 09:45 AM ET, 11/19/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety | Tags: Distracted driving, Dr. Gridlock

Posted at 09:31 AM ET, 11/09/2010

Traffic safety campaign kicks off

By Michael Bolden

Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District are kicking off an annual pedestrian and cyclist safety campaign today. Law enforcement throughout the region plan to gather in Rosslyn to roll out the Street Smart program, part of an effort to increase...

By Michael Bolden | 09:31 AM ET, 11/09/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 02:06 PM ET, 10/21/2010

Fatal crashes with teen drivers drop

By Michael Bolden

Fatal car crashes involving teen drivers fell by about a third over five years, according to a new federal report that partly credits the drop to tougher state limits on younger drivers. The number of deaths tied to these accidents fell dramatically from about 2,200 in 2004 to 1,400 in 2008, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

By Michael Bolden | 02:06 PM ET, 10/21/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 09/21/2010

Neighbors applaud new crossing

By Robert Thomson

The Grubb Road safety crossing is a success story for the county, the neighbors and the 557-student school. Amanda Waugh, a past president of the elementary school PTA, was at the event this morning to thank the county officials. Not missing a beat, she also asked them if the school could get a speed camera and if sidewalks could be built all along East-West Highway. You can understand why she's feeling lucky after being "pleasantly surprised" by the county's quick response to the parents' request for help at the crossing.

By Robert Thomson | 01:30 PM ET, 09/21/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety | Tags: Dr. Gridlock

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 09/16/2010

Police campaign for road safety

By Robert Thomson

In the minds of many police officials, aggressive driving and distracted driving are linked, because the results are often the same. At an event this morning marking the last phase of this year's Smooth Operator enforcement campaign, U.S. Park Police Chief Salvatore R. Lauro cited the fatal showdown between two drivers on the George Washington Parkway in 1996 as an early example of tragically aggressive driving. Capt. Susan Culin of the Fairfax County police cited a very recent case of tragically distracted driving in which a motorist looked down at his cell phone and failed to see a red light, leading to a fatal crash at the county intersection. The police fear that the causes behind aggressive and distracted driving are becoming cultural norms, as Culin put it. "We have to stigmatize this type of behavior," she said.

By Robert Thomson | 02:10 PM ET, 09/16/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 09/09/2010

Metro to get $1.8M for snow removal

By Luke Rosiak

Metro will receive more than $2.7 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as partial reimbursement for the costs of snow removal during the storms last February and December, Metro said in a press release.

By Luke Rosiak | 10:18 AM ET, 09/09/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety

Posted at 10:06 AM ET, 09/01/2010

N.Y. dump truck chase ends in shooting

By Luke Rosiak

Police say a 37-year-old man driving a dump truck led them on an hour-long chase over roads, rails and yards in the Syracuse area that ended with the suspect being shot.

By Luke Rosiak | 10:06 AM ET, 09/01/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 05:41 PM ET, 06/28/2010

SoberRide has funds for the Fourth

By Michael Bolden

The taxis that provide free rides home to the inebriated are back on the road for July 4 after a last-minute rush of donors came up with $31,000 to keep the program afloat.

By Michael Bolden | 05:41 PM ET, 06/28/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety

Posted at 05:11 PM ET, 06/23/2010

O'Malley plans MARC train ride

By Washington Post Editors

Katherine Shaver reports on the Post Now blog that Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) will ride a MARC train from the Baltimore area to New Carrollton on Thursday morning to talk with passengers about improving the commuter rail line after a breakdown Monday evening that stranded 900 people in a train without air conditioning in the sweltering late afternoon heat, a spokesman said Wednesday.

By Washington Post Editors | 05:11 PM ET, 06/23/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety, Traffic Safety

Posted at 01:06 PM ET, 06/03/2010

Md. official: Highway worker violated protocols

By Michael Bolden

Authorities investigating the death of a highway worker killed by a hit and run driver on Route 50 in Anne Arundel County early Thursday say the contract employee was violating protocols that might have saved his life.

By Michael Bolden | 01:06 PM ET, 06/03/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Posted at 09:26 AM ET, 06/03/2010

Md. Highway worker killed

By Michael Bolden

Maryland State Police are looking for the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed a highway contract worker in Anne Arundel County.

By Michael Bolden | 09:26 AM ET, 06/03/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Traffic Safety

Dr. Gridlock: Traffic Safety