Photo by andertho

Good morning, Washington. On top of the usual systemic problems Metro is facing, the Post today covers what has become routine for area commuters but is only getting worse — busted escalators. This week alone, 63 to 69 of the system’s 588 escalators were out of service, and escalator reliability has fallen from over 93 percent in 2007 to just over 90 percent in 2009. The reasons for the failing escalators are numerous, including their age, the wear and tear they face and a 1990 plan that replaced old escalators with less reliable ones.

iPods Can Kill You, Say Officials: The Examiner reports today that officials are expressing rising concerns with accidents caused by cyclists and pedestrians listening to iPods as they run, bike or walk in the area. The article cites three accidents, including the recent death of a jogger who was hit by a truck while wearing an iPod and crossing against a light on Constitution Avenue. The officials also believe that iPods make people more vulnerable to crime, since they can’t hear the perpetrators coming. Be forewarned: this is one of those articles that draws conclusions from a tiny sampling of events. I’m not saying that there aren’t legitimate concerns — I don’t wear my iPod when I ride to work anymore — but that there simply aren’t enough cases out there to call these accidents a trend.

D.C., Maryland May Shift Primaries: Because of a new federal law that gives service members abroad at least 45 days to cast their votes before a general election, the District and Maryland may have to do away with their usual September primaries, reports the Post. Council member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) has said that the District may follow Virginia’s lead and move its primary to June, which would likely change the usual dynamics of local races in the city. For this year, though, both the District and Maryland are likely to apply for waivers since their primaries had been set years in advance. (Though, it should be said, it would really make our own non-race for mayor that much more exciting if it had to happen in June instead of September this year.)

Obama to Speak About Health Care at George Mason: President Obama will make one last pitch for health care in a speech this morning at George Mason University, writes WTOP. He’s set to speak at 11:30 a.m., but crowds of students have already stated lining up for the speech. With this speech, Northern Virginia officially becomes the go-to locale for closing speeches for Obama, who also closed out his 2008 presidential campaign with a speech in a Manassas Park. No word yet if Ken “Cooch” Cuccinelli, Virginia’s Attorney General, will be on hand to raise questions about Obama’s birth certificate.

Briefly Noted: Metro fires another bus driver for texting while at the wheel … Controversial Maryland highway signs turned off … Get ready for Trafficpocalypse on Saturday with National Marathon and anti-war march.

This Day in DCist: On this day last year, Mayor Adrian Fenty listed the accomplishments of his administration in the State of the District Address and an expansion of the SmartBikeDC program was announced. In 2008, the Supreme Court heard the Heller case and cast a doubtful eye on the District’s handgun prohibition.