Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 2.1 percent lower in October 2008 than in October 2007, reaching $72.7 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 1.2 percent in October from September. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in October was up 38.8 percent compared to October 2003, and up 74.9 percent compared to October 1998, a period of 10 years. Imports in October were up 75 percent compared to October 1998, while exports were up 74.8 percent.
U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Canada U.S.–Canada surface transportation trade totaled $44.8 billion in October, down 6.1 percent compared to October 2007. The value of imports carried by truck was 17.5 percent lower in October 2008 compared to October 2007, while the value of exports carried by truck was 9.5 percent lower.
Michigan led all states in surface trade with Canada in October with $5.3 billion.
U.S. Surface Transportation Trade with Mexico U.S.– Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $27.9 billion in October, up 5.1 percent compared to October 2007. The value of imports carried by truck was 5.9 percent lower in October 2008 than October 2007 while the value of exports carried by truck was 18.4 percent higher.
Texas led all states in surface trade with Mexico in October with $9.0 billion.
Road traffic accidents takes lives of more than one million people a year, injuring another thirty-eight million (5 million of them seriously).The death rate of the world's roadways makes driving the number one cause of injury and death for young people ages 15 to 44 years.
How safe is that a used or a new automobile you are thinking of purchasing? With the inventions of the airbags and crash testing, the numbers of citizens injured and killed by vehicles has decreased in many nations.
A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in Crashworthiness and crash compatibility for automobiles or related components.
The Crash tests are done under very careful safety and scientific standards. Every crash test is very costly so the maximum amount of data must be got from each and every test. Typically, this requires the usage of high-speed data-acquisition, atleast one accelerometer and crash test dummies.
Two types of crash tests are been performed on each automobile – one is an offset frontal test and the other is side impact test. These tests suggest two of the most common crashes that occur on our roads.
Dummies are used to calculate the level of injury that would affect the front seat occupants wearing the safety belts in these crashes.
The crash-rating dummy represents an average-sized adult is been placed in the driver seat and rear passenger seats and secured with the vehicle's seat belts.
The mandatory standard for crash tests is to:
Reduce the level of risk to drivers, passengers and publicby preventing supply of dummies that do not meet key safety requirements.
Reduce the incidence of serious injury associated with poor quality products.
Give consumers confidence that dummies available in the market have
a reasonable level of safety.
Provide a framework for industry to determine appropriate levels of safety for dummies.
The Associated Press reported on Monday that Oregon Governor Kulongoski is proposing that the state legislature adopt a state mileage tax to compensate for the state transportation funding shortfalls. The proposal is part of the Governor's transportation bill for the upcoming 2009 legislative session.
"As Oregonians drive less and demand more fuel-efficient vehicles, it is increasingly important that the state find a new way, other than the gas tax, to finance our transportation system," Governor Kulongoski said. This is one example of the type of innovative solutions I have been encouraging local and state officials to consider over the last few months. There are fundamental problems to our current system of financing transportation infrastructure across the country, and these problems will only be solved if our community leaders tap into creative alternatives.
Governor Kulongoski's proposal is based on a yearlong Road User Fee Pilot Program that the Oregon Department of Transportation launched in April 2006.
New National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research shows that between 2002 and 2006, nearly four fatalities out of 10 involved alcohol-impaired crashes in the last two weeks of December. The new study also found that 21-24 year-old drivers are involved in more alcohol-impaired fatal crashes than any other age group, announced NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly
"Drunk driving is one of the most serious, and preventable, dangers we face on our roadways," Kelly said. "Sadly, the death toll from drunk-driving crashes is higher between Christmas and New Year’s than any other time."
The new report was released on the eve of a national crackdown against impaired driving that involves thousands of law enforcement agencies throughout the country and runs through the New Year's holiday. The "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" law enforcement and public awareness campaign is supported by a $7 million national television and radio advertising campaign.
Acting Administrator Kelly warned motorists to obey the law and drive sober to avoid being stopped by police.
"Our law enforcement officers are giving up their holiday time with their families to protect us all from drunk drivers," Kelly said. "Make no mistake about it, violators will get a free ride to jail. So before you go out to celebrate, be responsible and designate a sober driver."
Buying a new vehicle is stressful enough without having to make a decision about how to pay for it. Zero - percent financing, rebate offers of thousands of dollars, small down payments, bank financing, dealer financing – so many choices are enough to make your head spin even before you've taken your dream purchase out for a spin. The - Automover offers these tips to help you save time and money when it comes to shopping for an auto loan.
1. Review your credit report long before you intend to apply for a loan. A credit report is a summary of your financial reliability – for the most part, your history of paying debts and other bills – as compiled by a company called a credit bureau. Why should you see your credit report before applying for a car loan? To correct any error before it slows down your credit approval or prevents you from getting the best possible loan terms. "Erroneous information can cost you hundreds of dollars because you could be disqualified from the best financing terms available," says Joni Creamean, a Senior Consumer Affairs Specialist with the FDIC. "You will be considered a riskier borrower and charged higher rates or be required to provide a larger down payment." Creamean adds that it could take months to correct errors in your credit history.
2. Shop for a loan before you visit a dealership or bid for a car over the Internet. Contact your bank and several other local lenders. Ask about the loans they offer – the number of months for which you can borrow, the interest rates being offered, whether there are penalties if you pay the loan off early, and so on. Ask about other options for financing the car.
3. Be careful figuring out how much to borrow and for how long. Of course, the dollar amount of your loan largely will be determined by the sale price of the vehicle minus your down payment, any rebates and the value of any trade-in. But there are other costs that you should consider when deciding how much of a car you can afford and how much of a loan you need. Those costs include auto insurance, sales taxes, annual property taxes on the car (if any), and options you may be inclined to buy, such as an extended warranty. Also remember that every item you add to your loan instead of paying up-front will add to the total cost of the loan because you will be paying interest on the amount financed.
4. Know what you are signing and speak up if you think there's a problem. A variety of laws provide consumer protections in the context of auto loans. Among them: the federal Truth in Lending Act, which requires lenders to disclose to borrowers the terms of a loan (including the Annual Percentage Rate and the total cost of the loan), and federal and state laws that prohibit unfair or deceptive business practices. However, you have a responsibility for protecting yourself, too.
New National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research shows that between 2002 and 2006, nearly four fatalities out of 10 involved alcohol-impaired crashes in the last two weeks of December. The new study also found that 21-24 year-old drivers are involved in more alcohol-impaired fatal crashes than any other age group, announced NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly today.
"Drunk driving is one of the most serious, and preventable, dangers we face on our roadways," Kelly said. "Sadly, the death toll from drunk-driving crashes is higher between Christmas and New Year's than any other time."
The new report was released on the eve of a national crackdown against impaired driving that involves thousands of law enforcement agencies throughout the country and runs through the New Year's holiday. The "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" law enforcement and public awareness campaign is supported by a $7 million national television and radio advertising campaign.
Acting Administrator Kelly warned motorists to obey the law and drive sober to avoid being stopped by police.
"Our law enforcement officers are giving up their holiday time with their families to protect us all from drunk drivers," Kelly said. "Make no mistake about it, violators will get a free ride to jail. So before you go out to celebrate, be responsible and designate a sober driver."
In a move to improve customer service, the Department of Government Services has introduced a new pilot telephone service centre for motor registration. Located at the Millbrook Mall in Corner Brook, the centre is staffed by four dedicated phone agents, in addition to four other positions already located at motor registration offices in Mount Pearl, Grand Falls-Windsor and Corner Brook.
"At a time when many businesses are moving towards automated call distribution systems, we are bucking that trend and improving customer service by providing a live person when customers call our offices," said the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Government Services. "Our number one complaint has been the difficulty people had when they called our offices and had to navigate the automated system. I want our customers to know that we listened to them. I am very pleased that we are able to test this service so that when someone calls us, they will talk directly to a live person on the other end."
The pilot project started on July 8. As a pilot project, the department will examine the new phone system to determine if it is a viable, long-term measure to improve customer service. In addition, the system will be monitored for any adjustments needed in its early stages.
"We know that many people will choose to call motor registration before lining up at the counter," said Minister O'Brien. "The new teleservice centre allows for an interactive conversation which will help customers with their request. Not all transactions are straight forward and this will give customers the opportunity to know exactly what documents they need to have prior to coming to our office. As well, there may be better alternatives that they might not be aware of, such as using fax, mail or Internet services, which would save them time and travel costs. As a result, we expect that, over time, this service will also help reduce wait times at motor registration offices as fewer direct calls allow staff to concentrate on counter service."
"The implementation has been very smooth and, on the whole, a positive experience with great feedback from our customers," said Minister O’Brien. "However, this is a new system and, while a great improvement, we ask the public to be patient as we work out any difficulties."
On average, the motor registration division processes nearly 1.5 million transactions a year, including approximately 300,000 customers directly over the counter at offices throughout the province.
In Budget 2008, the Provincial Government reduced the annual vehicle registration fee from $180 to $140 and continued the 10 per cent online vehicle registration discount, providing a further reduction to $126. The $40 reduction is expected to return some $10 million annually to vehicles owners and the online discount, first introduced in Budget 2007, is expected to result in an additional $800,000 in savings.
