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Transportation Bill Provides Incentives for States to Adopt Stricter Safety Rules

WASHINGTON – The $105 billion transportation/student loan bill, passed by Congress on June 29, includes a number of provisions intended to improve traffic safety.

by Staff
July 3, 2012
1 min to read


WASHINGTON – The $105 billion transportation/student loan bill, passed by Congress on June 29, includes a number of provisions intended to improve traffic safety. 

Among them:

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-- Funds federal highway, transit and highway safety programs at current levels through the end of fiscal year 2014, allowing states to plan and undertake major transportation improvements

-- Provides financial incentives for states to crack down on distracted driving, mandate ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders, and establish strict graduated driver’s license programs for teenage drivers

-- Increases fines for automakers that fail to issue safety recalls in a timely manner

-- Establishes a new behavioral research program managed jointly by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Governors Highway Safety Association.

To read the surface transportation extension law, click here

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