State governors convened at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) headquarters in Washington on February 21 to express solidarity with the department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) and advocate for enhanced road safety nationwide. The event featured comprehensive data overviews, personal anecdotes, and illustrations of innovative measures adopted by states to move towards zero roadway fatalities.
During the gathering, the DOT unveiled the 2024 NRSS Report, building upon the original release in January 2022. Additionally, the DOT introduced 41 new “Allies in Action” – businesses and organizations committed to supporting the NRSS in mitigating the crisis on America’s roads. Over its two-year span, the USDOT has secured a total of 160 commitments.
“In the two years since we launched the National Roadway Safety Strategy, the Biden-Harris administration has taken action to make roads safer, emergency responders more efficient, and vehicle safety technology stronger, contributing to six straight quarters of decreasing traffic deaths—but America still loses tens of thousands of lives on our roads every year, and we must do more,” said Pete Buttigieg U.S. Transportation secretary. “The updates we’re announcing today show that progress is possible, and we continue our call to action for all Americans to join with us and the partners who have already stepped up to save lives on our roadways.”
The 2024 NRSS Report outlines the USDOT’s strides in addressing severe and fatal injuries on U.S. roadways, highlighting accomplishments in 2023. Noteworthy achievements include the allocation of $1.7 billion through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, benefiting over 1,000 communities and covering nearly 70% of the American population. The department accelerated the implementation of motor vehicle safety technologies, initiated rulemaking for impaired-driving prevention technology standards, and updated key road safety regulations.
In a significant development, the DOT expanded the National Emergency Medical Services Information System’s usage and support, accepting data from all 50 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia.
Among the 41 new supporters, 36 hail from state and territory organizations, including transportation agencies and state highway safety offices. These Allies in Action have committed to concrete steps to actively reduce roadway deaths and injuries, aligning with a Safe System Approach and a Zero Fatalities vision. Their efforts span various sectors, including health and safety advocacy, the private sector, municipal and law enforcement organizations, and more.
“The department won’t achieve zero deaths on our roadways alone, which is why involving stakeholders across the country, at every level of government, philanthropy, advocacy, and the private sector, is key,” said Polly Trottenberg, U.S. Transportation deputy secretary. “The National Roadway Safety strategy is driving a cultural shift that treats roadway deaths as unacceptable and preventable. We have an incredible opportunity with President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allows us to make a generational investment in America’s transportation network.”
New voluntary commitments from Allies in Action include proven safety countermeasures, Complete Streets policies, revisiting speed-setting policies, advancing infrastructure improvements for vulnerable road users, and engaging in outreach and education efforts related to speed management and rural-high-risk road safety.
States and territories making these commitments include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The NRSS Allies in Action feature diverse entities dedicated to enhancing road safety. For instance, Beyond Lucid Technologies is leveraging its HALCYON Post-Crash Intelligence platform, aiming to provide critical information about crash victims to first responders. The Ford Fund is enhancing its “Driving Skills for Life” program, emphasizing discussions on vulnerable road user safety and outreach to underserved communities. Stellantis is committed to raising awareness about vehicle safety recalls and improving repair rates, especially in communities with disproportionately lower repair rates.
The National Center for Rural Road Safety is actively connecting with and training rural practitioners across the country through initiatives like the Road Safety Champion Program and Rural Road Safety Awareness Week.
The NRSS, launched in 2022, addresses the escalating crisis of roadway deaths in America. The five-pronged approach encompasses safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, safer roads, and better post-crash care. As a positive sign, preliminary data reveals small decreases in traffic fatalities over the last six quarters.
During the February event, the DOT announced $1.25 billion in funding for the next round of its Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program aimed at helping cities, counties, tribes, and metropolitan planning organizations enhance road safety.
For a complete list of NRSS Allies in Action and more information, visit the DOT’s official website.
Source: The Trucker
