Safer Roadways

57th Traffic Conference

The National Problem —

2005 43,200 Fatalities 2.68M Injuries $230.6B / year $820 per person

3.3 Million Deaths Since 1928

The National ProblemTomorrow

Of every 84 children born this year:– One will die in a

highway crash.– 50 will be injured in

a crash during their lifetimes…some more than once.

1000105011001150120012501300

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Fatalities

6 Year Fatality Trend6 Year Fatality Trend

2000 = 1,157

2001 = 1,098

2002 = 1,208

2003 = 1,231

2004 = 1,130

2005 = 1,257

1,000 or Fewer Fatalities by

2008

Our RecordOur RecordOur GoalOur Goal

YearYear Fatalities Fatalities 20002000 1,1571,15720012001 1,0981,09820022002 1,2081,2082003 2003 1,2321,23220042004 1,1301,13020052005 1,2571,257 20082008 1,000 or less1,000 or less

We Can Do It…We Can Do It…

Total Fatalities State System Total Fatalities State System 2003-20052003-2005

Nonuse of Occupant ProtectionNonuse of Occupant Protection 1,6061,606Run-Off-Road CollisionsRun-Off-Road Collisions 1,2521,252Horizontal CurvesHorizontal Curves 977977

Too Fast for ConditionsToo Fast for Conditions 696696

Distracted/Fatigued DriversDistracted/Fatigued Drivers 666666Alcohol & Other DrugsAlcohol & Other Drugs 588588Young Drivers – Less than 21 InvolvedYoung Drivers – Less than 21 Involved 559559Killed in Head-On CollisionsKilled in Head-On Collisions 549549Commercial Vehicles InvolvedCommercial Vehicles Involved 496496

Total Fatalities Non-State System Total Fatalities Non-State System 2003-20052003-2005

Nonuse of Occupant ProtectionNonuse of Occupant Protection 521521Run-Off-Road CollisionsRun-Off-Road Collisions 429429Horizontal CurvesHorizontal Curves 271271

Too Fast for ConditionsToo Fast for Conditions 264264

Speed Exceed Limit InvolvedSpeed Exceed Limit Involved 256256Alcohol & Other DrugsAlcohol & Other Drugs 251251Young Drivers – Less than 21 InvolvedYoung Drivers – Less than 21 Involved 220220Distracted /Fatigued Drivers InvolvedDistracted /Fatigued Drivers Involved 218218Killed in Collisions w/TreesKilled in Collisions w/Trees 192192

EssenEssentialtial

IS NOT

A STRATEGY

““Essential”Essential”

Pass a primary Pass a primary safety belt law safety belt law

and maintain and and maintain and enhance existing enhance existing

safety laws.safety laws.

Driver Safety Belt Use Fatal Crashes

2004

30%

70%

Driver BDriver NB

• 90 Lives Saved

• 1,000 Serious Injuries Prevented

• Medicaid Savings of $103M over 10-year Period

• 16.2M Additional Dollars from SAFETEA-LU

• Passed in 1967 – Saved hundreds of lives

• Unhelmeted motorcyclist – 40% more likely to incur fatal head injury

• Motorcycle helmets are 67% effective in preventing brain injuries

Motorcycle Deaths

In Five States Before and After Helmet Repeals

““Essential”Essential”

Increase public Increase public education education

and information on and information on traffictraffic

safety issues.safety issues.

www.saveMOlives.com

“Essential”

Expand the installation of

shoulder, edge-line and

centerline rumble strips.

Rumble StripsRumble Strips Freeway Shoulder Rumble StripsFreeway Shoulder Rumble Strips

– ROR Crashes, Reduction 15-80%ROR Crashes, Reduction 15-80% Edge Line Rumble Strips – Two-Edge Line Rumble Strips – Two-

lanelane– ROR Crashes, Reduction 20-25%ROR Crashes, Reduction 20-25%

Centerline Rumble StripsCenterline Rumble Strips– Head-on and Sideswipe Crashes 20-Head-on and Sideswipe Crashes 20-

25%25%

“Essential”

Expand, improveand maintain

roadway visibility features.

Pavement MarkingsPavement Markings Wider Longitudinal Pavement MarkingsWider Longitudinal Pavement Markings

– Wider markings – up to 12 inchesWider markings – up to 12 inches» A low cost safety improvement that: A low cost safety improvement that:

Reduces crash frequencyReduces crash frequencyImproves lane positioningImproves lane positioningBenefits older driversBenefits older driversImproves driver comfortImproves driver comfort

On-Pavement Horizontal SigningOn-Pavement Horizontal Signing

“Essential”Expand

installation of median 3-

strand guard cable

or equivalent barrier.

“Essential”

Expand installation

and maintenance of roadway

shoulders and clear zones.

““Essential”Essential”

Increase Increase enforcementenforcement on targetedon targeted

crash corridorscrash corridors..

“Essential”

Effectively deter, identify,

arrest and adjudicate alcohol and other drug

impaired drivers and pedestrians.

Regional Coalitions & PlansRegional Coalitions & Plans

Support “OUR” Goal and the Support “OUR” Goal and the BlueprintBlueprint

Join A Regional CoalitionJoin A Regional CoalitionSupport Key Safety LegislationSupport Key Safety LegislationDrive ResponsiblyDrive Responsibly

How Can You

21% Decrease from 2005

1,000 < Fatalities