The U.S. Department of Transportation in a Jan. 27 press release announced a comprehensive roadway safety strategy to prevent traffic deaths and injuries.
The “Safe System Approach” recognizes human error and will design redundant roadway systems to reduce the likelihood of crashes and minimize the harm they cause, according to the release.
“We cannot tolerate the continuing crisis of roadway deaths in America,” U.S. Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, said in the release. “These deaths are preventable, and that's why we're launching the National Roadway Safety Strategy today - a bold, comprehensive plan, with significant new funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill allocated “$6 billion for the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, $4 billion for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and $4 billion for improved crash data and vehicle, behavior, and truck safety programs," the release stated.
“This National Roadway Strategy represents a collective effort across the Department, and under the leadership of Secretary Buttigieg, to embrace the Safe System approach, and to recognize that no loss of life on our nation’s roadways is acceptable," former U.S. DOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety Policy and Acting Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Robin Hutcheson, said in the release. "As we move toward swift implementation, we look forward to partnering with every level of government, industry, advocacy, and all who will come together to address this crisis."
Roadway fatalities have been on the rise since 2020; in the first six months of 2021, 20,160 people died in crashes which is an 18.4% increase compared to 2020, according to the DOT.
“No longer can we as a society accept traffic deaths,” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Deputy Administrator, Dr. Steven Cliff, said in the release. “Every life lost is a tragedy, and we all can, should, and must do more to change the culture. The National Roadway Safety Strategy and the Safe System Approach offer all communities a roadmap to save lives and reduce injuries."
