CVV News l May 15, 2023
Sacramento – As the number of traffic fatalities on California roadways continues to rise, many people across the state struggle with the loss of a friend or family member or suffer serious injuries and significant hardship from a crash. According to the latest projections from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 4,400 people were killed in traffic crashes in California in 2022, or 12 people every day. A disproportionate number of those deaths affect Californians of color and low-income communities.
To address this crisis on our roads, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) today is launching the “Go Safely Movement” campaign with the help of its traffic safety partners the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and California Highway Patrol (CHP). The campaign aims to establish a strong safety culture in California by raising awareness of the roadway crisis and encouraging people to take a Community Call to Action Survey. Results of the survey will help inform the OTS’ highway safety planning efforts and identify “traffic safety champions” to promote more community-level involvement in traffic safety initiatives.
“We can no longer accept death and serious injuries as just a consequence of using our roads. As users of the road, we share in the responsibility of keeping ourselves and other safe. Together we can drive culture change and prioritize roadway safety for all.” Barbara Rooney, OTS Director
“Every year, thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in preventable crashes on California roads – and, tragically, the numbers are going in the wrong direction, with the biggest impact on underserved communities and people who do not have equitable access to safe transportation options. I encourage everyone to join the Go Safely Movement by becoming a traffic safety champion and sharing their thoughts on how we create a safety culture and reverse this deadly trend, together.”Toks Omishakin, CalSTA Secretary
“At Caltrans, safety is our number one priority, which is why we are striving to make our state transportation system safer, greener, and more equitable,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “We are all on this road together, so the success of the Go Safety Movement, and the ability to attain our shared goal of eliminating all traffic deaths on our roads by 2050, depends on every Californian doing their part.”
“California’s vast highway network connects many unique areas, encompassing rural, suburban, and metropolitan communities,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “To better meet the diverse needs of our communities, the CHP continues to use innovative traffic safety education and enforcement strategies to promote a safer driving culture. Through the partnerships of the Go Safely Movement, we can positively impact driving behavior and help create safer conditions for all roadway users.”
The Go Safely Movement will strengthen connections with communities, provide access to resources and promote traffic safety across transportation systems.
To learn more about the Go Safely Movement, visit gosafelyca.org/thegosafelymovement, and follow Go Safely on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @OTS_CA and @GoSafelyCA.
California High-Speed Rail Board Awards Design Contract for Central Valley Stations
CVV News l October 20, 2022
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (Authority) Board of Directors today unanimously approved awarding the design and support services contract for the Merced, Fresno, Kings/Tulare and Bakersfield stations that will serve high-speed rail passengers on the initial 171-mile segment.
“The first four Central Valley high-speed rail stations are one step closer to reality,” said Authority Chairman Tom Richards. “High-speed rail stations will transform cities, spur economic development and create community hubs within the heart of our state.”
The Authority awarded an approximately $35 million station design contract to Foster + Partners and Arup (F+P Arup) for the first of two separately funded phases: the first to advance the design work at the four station sites, including identifying right-of-way and utility relocation requirements necessary for construction, and the second to progress to final design and construction ready documents, construction support and commissioning. The duration for the first phase of work is estimated to be 30 months.
The California high-speed rail project is currently under construction along 119 miles in California’s Central Valley at more than 30 active job sites. In the past several months, the Authority also began advancing design work on the alignment to extend work north into Merced and south into Bakersfield.
To date, nearly 9,000 construction jobs have been created since the start of construction. For more on construction, visit www.buildhsr.comExternal Link. For a more comprehensive look at the Authority’s stations visit: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8/folder/163436037724External Link.
The following link contains the above as well as other recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8.External Link
These files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
California High-Speed Rail Board approves design contracts to prepare for construction into Merced and Bakersfield
CVV News l August 28, 2022
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors approved contracts to advance design of the 52.4 total miles that will extend the project into Merced and Bakersfield. The contracts bring the project closer to constructing the final Central Valley packages that will complete the 171-mile high-speed rail electrified segment and ultimately connect to the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
“Taken together, these contracts bolster the Authority’s effort to have high-speed trains operating in the heart of California by the end of the decade,” said Authority Chairman Tom Richards. “These contracts demonstrate our ability to leverage lessons learned from past contracts, increase project readiness and prepare for continued progress on this transformative project.”
The Authority awarded the $41 million Merced to Madera extension design contract to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. which covers approximately 33.9 miles with 40 structures. The $44.9 million Fresno to Bakersfield (Locally Generated Alternative) extension contract was awarded to HNTB and covers approximately 18.5 miles between the cities of Shafter and Bakersfield in Kern County with 31 structures. The contracts are expected to last two years, and the two companies will work with the Authority to finalize the project configuration footprint and advance design work to refine costs and travel time enhancements, and map right of way and utility relocation. These critical steps will move the sections closer to construction, with the goal of electrified high-speed trains running between Merced and Bakersfield by the end of the decade.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Authority $25 million in federal grant funding to advance the project into downtown Merced. The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant will provide more than half of the cost for the Madera to Merced design contract.
The Board is expected to take action Thursday on the San Francisco to San Jose section environmental document, potentially finalizing environmental work for more than 420 miles of the 500-mile long project.
The California high-speed rail project is currently under construction along 119 miles in California’s Central Valley at 35 active job sites. To date, more than 8,000 construction jobs have been created since the start of construction. For more on construction, visit http://www.buildhsr.comExternal Link.
Save time, skip the line! The DMV now offers online driver’s license testing options
FDR Media-Posted: June 28, 2022
Did you know that most DMV transactions are currently being handled online? The newest options available may allow you to complete the driver’s license knowledge test from the comfort of your home before visiting a DMV office.
If you’re renewing your license with a knowledge test requirement, or are an adult taking it for the first time, the DMV offers two resources – a remote version of the traditional knowledge test, and an interactive eLearning course. Eligible customers are prompted to choose the remote knowledge test or eLearning course after filling out the online driver’s license application and paying the fee.
Currently, the remote knowledge test is available for the nearly 2 million tests taken by Californians renewing their license each year, the more than 1.3 million tests taken by adults getting their license for the first time who also don’t have a California identification card and Californians getting a REAL ID or motorcycle license for the first time. The eLearning course is available for Californians renewing their license.
The newly offered eLearning course can be taken on a computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile device and is available 24/7. There are seven interactive modules that must be completed, including quizzes, after each module. The eLearning course takes approximately 45 minutes and is currently only available in English.
When you choose to use an online testing resource, it significantly saves time by eliminating the need to wait in line and take your test in a DMV office. Customers with a testing requirement for their license are still required to go to a DMV office after completing one of the online options to provide the required identity and residency documents, take a photo, provide a thumbprint, complete a vision screening, and be issued a licensing document.
The online knowledge test is available in 35 languages to customers who have an internet-enabled computer or laptop with a webcam. The test cannot be taken on a tablet or mobile device. Customers can begin the online exam between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.
For identity verification and as a fraud prevention measure, online test participants are required to verify their identity and agree to be monitored throughout the exam.
The test can be attempted online twice. If a customer fails to pass the test after two tries, they will be prompted to go to a DMV office to take the test a third time.
This is just one more example of how the DMV is modernizing to add more convenient services online that used to be only available in an office. Checking things off your DMV to-do list is now a lot faster . It all starts here: dmv.ca.gov.
