Federal Initiative Calls for Action on Roadway Safety

A new federal initiative urges cities to take action toward the Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, released last year. According to an article by Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive, “Based on the safe system approach, the program’s five strategies focus on safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, safer roads and post-crash care.”

The initiative includes almost 50 government, industry, and nongovernmental participants that have pledged to take specific steps to reduce roadway deaths.

The commitments include:

• The National League of Cities will include up to 50 additional communities in its Safety First Challenge, along with adding local safety data resources, working with youth safety leaders and elected officials.
• The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is updating its Highway Safety Manual with added research-based methods and more expansive pedestrian and bicyclist safety considerations.
• The League of American Bicyclists will provide technical assistance to local governments and work with states as they implement vulnerable road user safety, speed management and Complete Streets planning activities.
• The Vision Zero Network is developing a new series of resources and educational opportunities for local, regional and Tribal communities.