Obama gives $50 billion to improve infrastructure

The President outlined America's two great challenges--upgrading our infrastructure and putting Americans back to work--and reminded the nation that his proposed investment in roadways, railways, and runways responds to both of those challenges.

"What we need," he said, "is a smart system of infrastructure equal to the needs of the 21st century."

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood - On distracted driving

Our latest research finds that nearly 6,000 people died last year in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured. On any given day last year, more than 800,000 vehicles were driven by someone using a handheld cell phone during the day. The worst offenders are the youngest, least experienced drivers – men and women under 20. Teenage drivers, in particular, are already at greater risk for getting into an accident than other drivers.

On top of that, the research shows that teen drivers are likelier to sustain severe injuries in a crash if they’re distracted by a cell phone. Across the board, federal researchers who have directly observed drivers of all ages found that more and more people are using a variety of hand-held devices while driving – not just cell phones, but also iPods, video games, Blackberrys, and so forth. They’re doing it every day of the week, in the rain, and with kids in the car.

And we know this problem isn’t limited to private citizens. Incredibly, bus drivers, train operators, truck drivers, and even school bus drivers have allowed distractions to interfere with their work. A year ago, a commuter train engineer in Chatsworth, California was so busy texting a friend that he failed to stop at a red signal. He caused one of the worst passenger rail accidents in years, killing 25 people and injuring 135 more. In July, a 25 year-old tow truck driver in upstate New York was texting and talking. He crashed through a fence, side-swiped a house, landed in a swimming pool, and injured his passenger.

Source: Ray Layhood

What is a Process Agent

FMCSA strongly encourages users to submit the Process Agent or Insurance Filing online. A process agent is a representative upon whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder. Every motor carrier (of property or passengers) shall make a designation for each State in which it is authorized to operate and for each State traversed during such operations. Brokers are required to list process agents in each state in which they have an office and in which they write contracts. FMCSA Regulation 49 CFR Part 366 details more about The Designation of Process Agents by Motor Carriers and Brokers.