The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is committed to communicating with the American people in plain, easy-to-follow language. We understand that people cannot comply with a safety bulletin that is too dense and technical to understand, or offer comments on a proposed regulation that is written with too much jargon for a layman to follow.
U.S. Department of Transportation Plain Language Checklist
Checklist for Creating New Content
The Federal government’s traditional way of writing has not worked well. Too often, complicated and jargon-filled documents have resulted in frustration, lawsuits, and a lack of trust between citizens and their government. To overcome this legacy, we have a great responsibility to communicate clearly.
Studies show that clearly written documents improve compliance and decrease litigation. Writing that considers our readers’ need for clear communication will improve the relationship between the government and the public it serves.
DOT Plain Language Points of Contact
At the U.S. Department of Transportation we strive, however, to communicate with our various audiences in such a way that all our written materials are easily understood the first time they are read. This includes Notices of Funding Availability, Notices of Proposed Rulemakings, Final Rulemakings, congressional reports, official correspondence, departmental blogs, social media, and material on our internal and external websites.
The FHWA's Rulemaking Manual.
The FAA's Plain Language Program Manager is Bruce Corsino.
The handbook has a section on the use of proper English and clear, simple drafting.
This plan provides information on the steps DOT took to comply with the Presidential memorandum on Plain Language.