Even with laws limiting or prohibiting the use of devices while driving, motorists continue to make calls and text while driving.

"Across the U.S., many states have distracted-driving laws in place. Yet federal studies estimate over 3,000 people a year die from distracted driving, and safety experts believe the actual number is far higher," reports a team from Bloomberg.
Data from smartphone apps that track drivers shed light on the extent of the problem. "New York drivers called, texted or swiped through apps about 22% of the time they were on the road. Los Angeles fared slightly worse, mostly in the 'non-call passive usage' category, which could include the use of apps for navigation and directions."
Over the course of this year, distracted driving appears to have leveled out, possibly due to the implementation of new state laws and public information campaigns. However, laws are inconsistent across the country. For example, all states except Missouri and Montana have full bans on texting while driving, but laws limiting use of handheld devices while driving are a mix of full and partial bans with no restrictions at all in some states.
"The data support the generally-accepted wisdom that despite laws, penalties and reminders of the hazards of cell phone distractions while behind the wheel, drivers continue to put themselves and others on America’s roads in grave danger."
FULL STORY: Drivers Refuse to Put Down Their Phones. People Keep Dying.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations
An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts
Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.

San Francisco Rents Cheaper Now Than in 2020
Though ‘cheap’ is a relative term.

Study: Seattle’s Lower Speed Limits Reduced Crash Injuries
A change in the city’s speed limits has been shown to reduce the likelihood of injuries during collisions.

Millennials Now Majority Homeowners
Just over half of people in the ‘Y’ generation now own homes, but the largest generation also continues to dominate the rental market.
City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Strategic Economics Inc
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.