The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "highway safety" ...
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I-95 Speed zones are not most dangerous
This investigation found that speed zones in Brevard County, FL, were established not necessarily because of high rates of speed-related accidents, but merely in areas where people who supported the law lived. Some of the zones are actually in places with very low rates of speeding-related crashes.
Tags: traffic; transportation; highways; department of highway safety; microsoft access
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Road Hazards
Drivers with "poor safety records and histories of drug and alcohol abuse," poorly inspected and maintained trucks and lax enforcement of safety laws are the main problems affecting the truck driving industry in the state of Texas. The Dallas Morning News investigates, spurred by the case of Miroslaw Jozwiak, a trucker who falsified his log reports before causing a fatal accident, which he survived. The stories of those who perished in the crash are told, as are those of the people who survived the crash.
Tags: Miroslaw Jozwiak; truck drivers; truck safety; highway safety; fatal auto accidents; poor truck inspections
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Recalled Trucks Burn as Ford Fiddles
In recent years, Ford Trucks have been the target of a massive recall. Yet some of the models - including some not on the recall list - continue to catch fire and burn. Consumer Affairs first started examining fires in Ford trucks and SUVs in 2003, "citing instance after instance of trucks spontaneously bursting into flame, often while parked and unattended." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered a recall of an estimated 3.8 million Ford trucks from the 1994-2002 models, but the recall moved slowly as Ford cited delays in getting replacement parts. And as trucks continued to catch fire, so did consumer complaints, which were "stonewalled" by Ford. In addition, some people's 2003 models were prone to fire, but when their trucks burst into flame and were ruined, they were informed that there is no recall protocol for 2003 models.
Tags: Ford; Ford trucks; Ford F-150; Ford Expidition; Lincoln Navigator; Ford Bronco; recall; trucks prone to spontaneous bursting into flame
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Our Deadly Traffic
The authors investigated why fatality rates on the roads had sky-rocketed in Lee County, FL.
Tags: traffic fatalities; accidents; Department of Transportation; the Florida Highway Patrol; Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
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Pounding the Pavement
An investigation into why trucks, overloaded or just too heavy, are being allowed to tear up the state of North Carolina's roads and bridges driving up maintenance costs.
Tags: trucks; state transportation; road maintenance; State Highway Patrol; NC Department of Transportation; state weighing stations; public safety
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A Bridge Too Old
This story exposed the deteriorating condition of New York's Tappan Zee Bridge. The Journal News exposed structural decay, falling safety ratings and the failure of restoration efforts. The state Thruway Authority resisted disclosure of the inspection reports that disclosed these conditions.
Tags: bridges; Tappan Zee Bridge; FOI; New York State Thruway Authority; roads; inspections; highway
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Broken Bridge. Broken Trust.
This investigation revealed significant structural problems on a bridge's busy off- ramp. The investigative team shot video and still footage of the damaged areas and obtained internal e-mails from the New York State Department of Transportation indicating that the department covered up their knowledge of the extent of the bridge's damage.
Tags: bridges; bridge safety; New York State Department of Transportation; roads; highways; traffic; traffic safety
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Fuel Economy: Why You're Not Getting the MPG You Expect
U.S. government fuel economy ratings data significantly mislead consumers about the miles-per-gallon they can realistically expect to get from specific new cars and trucks. This is due to flawed and outdated testing methodology, procedures and loopholes used by the EPA, the NHTSA, and automakers.
Tags: cars; automobiles; environment; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Environmental Protection Agency; mileage; gas; fuel economy; mpg
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Ford Sudden Acceleration
This story examined Center for Auto Safety records and discovered 25,000 instances of sudden acceleration since the early 1980's. Ford vehicles were involved in almost one third of all incidents and were twice as likely as General Motors vehicles to have sudden acceleration problems. Fords were connected to 69 death caused by sudden acceleration accidents.
Tags: FOIA; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Ford; cars; car safety; sudden acceleration; accidents
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Ford Fires Investigation
The WESH I-team followed a series of fires in Ford trucks and SUV's in 2005. They found numerous vehicle fires in Florida and across the United States and obtained National Highway Transportation Safety Administration documents of vehicle fires and product testing of late model Fords. Over the course of the year, they followed class action suits against Ford, as well as a massive recall of the trucks. The I-team was the first outlet to discover the specific cause of the fires. Their findings moved Ford to expand its recall.
Tags: fire; Ford; vehicle fire; product recall; faulty wiring