CONTACT: Cathy Gillen
(202) 857-1203 or
(443) 463-4449
cathygillen@roadwaysafety.org

ROADWAY SAFETY FOUNDATION STATEMENT ON DISTRACTED DRIVING IN ADVANCE OF
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD SUMMIT

(Washington, DC) – The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) applauds the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for holding tomorrow’s Forum on the growing issue of distracted driving.  Distracted driving is estimated to be the cause of more than 3,000 fatalities each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“As transportation safety leaders in Washington take up the issue of distracted driving, today we are calling on all roadway users – motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists – to put safety first and avoid distractions on and around roadways,” said Greg Cohen, Executive Director of the Roadway Safety Foundation.”

“At the same time, policy makers responsible for safety must consider that at some point all road users make mistakes or get distracted at some point.  For that reason, we further call on all states and local governments to implement roadway design countermeasures that make roads more forgivable.  Countermeasures include low-cost design improvements such as median and roadside barriers, clear shoulders, rumble strips, bright signs, and reinforced bridge railings.  Safety investments can help prevent needless deaths and injuries, many of which are the result of inattention and distraction.”

“Motorists, opinion leaders, and policy makers should be aware that distractions often lead to road departure – the #1 contributing factor in highway deaths.  We need to minimize distractions but when mistakes are inevitably made, people should not be killed, paralyzed, or severely injured.  Roadway safety countermeasures can significantly lessen crash severity,” said Cohen.

Across the country, lane and road departure crashes account for 53 percent of fatal crashes, according to the Federal Highway Administration.  Most of these crashes involve only one vehicle whose driver became distracted or made another error.

The Roadway Safety Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization.  For additional information please visit www.roadwaysafety.org.

# # #

Contact: Cathy Gillen           
Office: 202-857-1203
Cell: 443-463-4449                          
cathygillen@roadwaysafety.org

December 8, 2011

Safer Highways Continue to Play Large Role in Lowest Highway Fatality Rate Since 1949

Roadway Departure and Intersection Fatalities Decrease Shows Encouraging Trend

(Washington, DC) — The Roadway Safety Foundation today commented on the news that traffic fatalities have dropped to their lowest level and rate since 1949.  In 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 32,885 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, compared with 33,883 in 2009 – a 2.9 percent decline.  In addition, NHTSA reports that the fatality rate – 1.10 fatalities per 100 million Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) – is the lowest ever documented, even at a time of increased vehicle miles traveled.

In 2006, the Federal Highway Administration implemented a new performance-based safety program, known as the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).  HSIP greatly increased the amount of federal funds that could be used to eliminate road and roadside hazards.  Research from SAIC has shown that HSIP funding is driving down traffic deaths and injuries, with a benefit cost ratio of 42 to 1.

Because roughly one-third of traffic fatalities are related to the roadway environment itself, Greg Cohen, Executive Director of the Roadway Safety Foundation, expressed delight that both “Roadway Departure” and “Intersection” fatalities are on the decline.  “Roadway Departure” crashes are defined as “A non-intersection crash in which a vehicle crossed an edge line, a center line, or leaves the traveled way.”  Fatalities in these types of crashes account for more than half of overall fatalities.  In 2010, the number of “Roadway Departure” crashes decreased 3.9 percent from 18,052 in 2009 to 17,346 in 2010.   “Intersection” crashes are also on the decline decreasing 7.1 percent from 7,278 in 2009 to 6,758 in 2010.

“These statistics show the importance of well designed and engineered roads,” said Cohen.  “Implementing lifesaving crash countermeasures – such as rumble strips, retroreflective signs and markings, roundabouts, and crash barriers – should be a priority among local, state and federal government officials.”

“The numbers released by NHTSA provide evidence that the engineering enhancements being adopted around the country truly are driving down fatalities. Especially in tough economic times, when resources are scarce, this reminds us that funding for these projects is money well spent, and that such improvements should remain high on our priority list given the staggering number of people killed on our roads.”

Headquartered in Washington, DC, The Roadway Safety Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational and charitable organization whose mission is to reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities through enhancements to roadway systems and their environment.

On November 15, RSF and the Federal Highway Administration recognized nine exemplary highway projects and programs from across the country as winners of the biennial National Roadway Safety Awards.  The award winners are credited for reducing fatalities and injuries on our Nation’s roadways through excellence and innovation in operations, planning, and design.  Each of the National Roadway Safety Award recipients was evaluated on innovation, effectiveness, and efficient use of resources.

Examples of the award winning programs include the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Micro Surfacing to Reduce Wet Weather Crash Rates Program and the Mississippi DOT’s Cable Median Barrier Safety Initiative.  For additional information on roadway engineering programs that are saving lives, please visit www.roadwaysafety.org.

–###–

CONTACT:
Cathy Gillen
(202) 857-1203
(443) 463-4449
cathygillen@roadwaysafety.org

Roadway Safety Foundation, Federal Highway Administration Honor Innovative, Lifesaving Safety Programs

States, Local Governments and Private Sector Organizations from Across the Country to Receive Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today recognized nine exemplary highway projects and programs from across the country as winners of the biennial National Roadway Safety Awards.  Recipients of awards included State and local departments of transportation (DOT), a State department of public safety, a local technical assistance program and a private firm.   The award winners are credited for reducing fatalities and injuries on our Nation’s roadways through excellence and innovation in operations, planning, and design.

“It is a privilege to formally recognize the localities and agencies that were selected for the 2011 National Roadway Safety Awards,” said John Porcari, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation. “Each one of this year’s entries demonstrated a commitment to saving lives by improving our nation’s roadways.”

“The lifesaving projects honored here today are noteworthy because deficiencies in the roadway environment contribute to roughly one-third of traffic deaths,” said Greg Cohen, Executive Director of the Roadway Safety Foundation.  “The best and brightest safety professionals who plan, engineer, and implement innovative solutions rarely get public recognition or the opportunity to know whose lives they have saved.  These awards are an opportunity to thank those who increase our odds of getting home safely each day.”

Each of the National Roadway Safety Award recipients was evaluated on innovation, effectiveness, and efficient use of resources. Project categories included infrastructure improvements; operational improvements; and program planning, development, and evaluation.

This year’s honorees include

• Minnesota DOT’s Micro Surfacing to Reduce Wet Weather Crash Rates Program
• Mississippi DOT’s Cable Median Barrier Safety Initiative
• Jones/Linn County (Iowa) Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Overlay With Safety EdgeSM
• Florida DOT’s Making Roadways Safer for Motorcycles Program
• Utah DOT’s Evaluation of Moveable Barriers in Construction Work Zones Program
• Travelers Marketing’s Safety Patrol Sponsor-Partnership (Maryland, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York and Kansas)
• California DOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program  Application and Evaluation Tool for Local Roadways
• New Mexico Department of Public Safety’s Smart Roadside Inspection Program
• Minnesota DOT’s County Roads Safety Plans Program/Wright County’s (Minnesota) Roadway Safety Program (joint award).

There were two honorable mentions –

• Texas DOT’s FM-1960 Median Improvements Program
• New Jersey Local Technical Assistance Program’s Work Zone Safety Education Program.

The Federal Highway Administration and the Roadway Safety Foundation present these biennial awards to agencies and organization across the country who exhibit excellence in roadway design, operations, planning and safety.

For complete details on each of the winners, and for more information on the national awards program,
visit http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadwaysafetyawards.

# # #

Read about all the award winning projects in the 2011 Noteworthy Practices Guide.

Check out official photos from the event here.

U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari Recognizes Nation’s Most Innovative Highway Safety Efforts

What: The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 2011
National Roadway Safety Awards Recognition Ceremony.

Why: To recognize the best and most innovative safety programs among state highway programs.  With nearly 33,000 fatalities on American roads each year, finding new ways to safeguard motorists and highway workers alike is a national priority.

Who:
-     The Honorable John Porcari, Deputy Secretary, U.S. DOT
-    Gregory M. Cohen, P.E, Executive Director, Roadway Safety Foundation

Recipients of the awards for work in the following states:

• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Iowa
• Florida
• Utah
• California
• New Mexico
• Massachusetts
• Pennsylvania
• Georgia
• New York
• Maryland
• Kansas
• Texas
• New Jersey

When: Tuesday, November 15th, Remarks begin at 12:30 p.m

Where: Rayburn House Office Building – Room B-340 – Washington, DC

# # #

ATTN:  Editors
Digital photos of winners receiving their awards can be emailed via request by emailing awards@roadwaysafety.org with “AWARDS PHOTO REQUEST” in the subject line.

As ice and snow threaten U.S. highways this winter, motorists, snowfighters, public officials and journalists can turn to a new website that aims to save lives and protect state and local economies. Safe Winter Roads (safewinterroads.org) was launched Nov. 2 with a focus on two troubling statistics:

• More than 116,000 Americans are injured and 1,300 killed every year on snowy or icy pavement.
• Snowstorms cost states as much as $700 million per day if roads become impassable.

“When a snowstorm hits, it’s more than just an inconvenience to motorists,” said Lori Roman, president of the Salt Institute, which created the new site. “Lives are at risk if drivers must travel roads that are inadequately salted and cleared. State and local economies take big hits as commerce slows to a winter crawl.”

“At the Salt Institute, we have decades of experience keeping winter roads safe,” Roman continued. “We scoured our archives, boiled down the research to the most essential points and presented it in an accessible manner online.”

In a home-page video that can be embedded on other sites, Salt Institute Vice President Morton Satin, “The Salt Guru,” visits a salt storage facility to explain how salt is not only about safety, but “dollars and common sense.” He also emphasizes the need for best practices that protect the environment.

The new website has sections on safety, commerce, the environment and sensible salting, defined as “the right amount in the right place at the right time.” It packages this information in ways most relevant to the four target audiences: motorists, snowfighters, public officials and media.

ABOUT THE SALT INSTITUTE:  Based in Alexandria, VA, the Salt Institute is a trade association promoting responsible salt use for roadway safety, nutrition and water quality.

Contact: Cathy Gillen
Office: 202-857-1203
Cell: 443-463-4449                   
cathygillen@roadwaysafety.org

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 30
FOR 2011 NATIONAL ROADWAY SAFETY AWARDS APPLICATIONS

(Washington, DC) — The Roadway Safety Foundation today announced that it is extending the deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 National Roadway Safety Awards. All application materials must now be received by June 30, 2011 to be considered for an award.

The National Roadway Safety Awards program is a joint effort by RSF and the Federal Highway Administration to recognize and publish best practices in roadway safety improvements in order to help solve reoccurring roadway safety issues throughout the nation.

The biennial competition includes three award categories: Infrastructure Improvements; Operational Improvements and Program Planning; and Development and Evaluation. Applicants can submit projects, programs, or activities that include effective and innovative safety agendas, and resourcefully employ various sources of aid including federal, state, local, and/or private sector funds.

Winners of the competition will receive an invitation to attend a national-level recognition event in Washington, DC; local and national media coverage opportunities; appearance in trade press and other RSF and FHWA publications and websites; and meeting opportunities with key roadway safety officials and legislators in Washington, DC.

The previous May 1 deadline for submissions is no longer in effect, though it may still appear on printed application materials and should be disregarded. Please visit www.roadwaysafety.org to learn more about this exciting program or to download an electronic copy of the nomination packet. Hard copies of the application materials may also be requested by contacting Cathy Gillen at the phone number or e-mail address listed above.

The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational, and charitable organization whose mission is to reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities through improvements to roadway systems and their environment.

–###–

Contact: Cathy Gillen
Office: 202-857-1203
Cell: 443-463-4449                                  
cathygillen@roadwaysafety.org

(Washington, DC) — The Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration are currently accepting applications for the 2011 National Roadway Safety Awards. RSF and FHWA recognize best practices in roadway safety improvements and publish the practices to help solve reoccurring roadway safety issues throughout the nation.

“We are very excited to begin the process once again of searching for and honoring high achievers in the field of roadway safety,” said Greg Cohen, Executive Director of the Roadway Safety Foundation. “This biennial celebration is an exciting time for us, and for all of the applicants who are doing such tremendous work across the country to keep road users safe.”

The competition includes three award categories: Infrastructure Improvements; Operational Improvements and Program Planning; and Development and Evaluation. Applicants can submit projects, programs, or activities that include effective and innovative safety agendas, and resourcefully employ various sources of aid including federal, state, local, and/or private sector funds.

Winners of the competition will receive an invitation to attend a national-level recognition event in Washington, DC; local and national media coverage opportunities; appearance in trade press and other RSF and FHWA publications and websites, and meeting opportunities with key roadway safety officials and legislators in Washington, DC.

The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2011. To learn more or to download an application, please visit www.roadwaysafety.org.

The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational, and charitable organization whose mission is to reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities through improvements to roadway systems and their environment.

–###–