Obama nominates transportation agency heads
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, President Obama nominated Chuck Hurley to serve as administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, President Obama nominated Chuck Hurley to serve as administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Over the last 30 years, Hurley has held senior leadership positions with the National Safety Council and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and he has served as CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving since 2005.
In addition to his work on drunken driving issues, Hurley has worked extensively with law enforcement on air bag and seat belt issues, teen driving, and child passenger safety. He also worked in 2003 with then state Sen. Obama on his successful efforts to strengthen Illinois' seat belt, teen driving, child passenger safety and racial profiling laws.
Also last week, Obama nominated Peter M. Rogoff to serve as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.
Rogoff is an acknowledged expert in the area of federal infrastructure budgeting and finance, having had an active role in the financing of each of the past three comprehensive surface transportation reauthorization bills, dating back to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.
He served for 22 years on the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee, including 14 years as the Democratic staff director of its Transportation Subcommittee.
In other administration news, Obama nominated John Porcari to serve as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. (Former Illinois Rep. Ray LaHood was confirmed as the transportation secretary in January.)
In his current position as secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, Porcari is responsible for motor vehicle registration and the highway, transit, aviation and maritime modes of Maryland's transportation system.
Porcari also serves as chairman of the entity responsible for operating the state's bridge and tunnel facilities. He is in his second stint as state transportation secretary, having served in the capacity from 1999 to 2002.
More Safety

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
