U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently announced a $813 million grant aimed at enhancing road safety across numerous American communities. Buttigieg took to social media to express his belief that this significant investment will contribute to the prevention of fatal car accidents on U.S. roads.
Buttigieg stated, "Our top priority is safety. We’ve invested in roadway safety projects in over 1000 communities, which represent a majority of our country’s population. We announced new projects to help tackle the preventable crisis of deaths on the nation’s roads."
According to a DOT news release, the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants are expected to spur 385 projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The SS4A funds will be directed towards municipalities and Tribal areas with the aim of developing roadway safety projects that save lives. The overarching objective is to improve roads and vehicles, promote safe vehicle speeds, educate drivers, and enhance healthcare services for car accident victims.
Buttigieg further elaborated, "Through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, we have now announced safety funding going directly to communities representing seventy percent of the people living in this country. We are acting to confront the crisis of safety on our nation’s roads, helping communities work to reduce traffic deaths to the only acceptable number: zero."
The news release also revealed that approximately 337 grants will support planning and demonstration interests while 48 implementation grants will focus on safety projects and policies. In total, the SS4A grants have provided $1.7 billion in direct funding to over 1,000 local communities in 2023 that will impact 70 percent of the country’s population.
U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg commented on these developments saying, "USDOT is excited to support communities all across the country as they design and deliver safer roadways. USDOT is committed to making our nation’s roadways safer and more livable for all who drive, walk, bike, and roll."
