Starting in June 2012, trucking companies with 10%+ violations of hours of service rules are required to install electronic onboard recorders for two years on all trucks. FMCSA is also encouraging voluntary use of recorders. Rulemaking is expected soon on even stricter requirements to improve safety.
Technological barriers to driverless robocars were overcome in 2007 competition. Mostly legal and bureaucratic obstacles remain including diversion of fuel tax revenue from highways to mass transit. Trains of automated cars packed together could make mass transit more obsolete through improved safety, fuel economy and use of existing roads.
The FMCSA has been testing its new Comprehensive Safety Analysis program in pilot states. It is scheduled to be rolled out in 2010 but may be delayed beyond its planned July start by implementation of fixes found during pilot testing.
CarMax reported earnings of $75.4 million for its fiscal 4th quarter. That's up from $37.5 million a year earlier. Comparable-store unit sales were up 11%, mostly due to increased used-car sales. Income from auto finance was also up.