Roadway
Safety: It's No Accident
The
United States' roadway system is one of the most advanced in the world. Interstates
enable us to get where we want to be quickly - and safely. Wide travel lanes,
medians and other sfatey features help reduce Interstate deaths and injuries.
Those
safety features, however, are not found on many of the roadways and streets we
use every day. Narrow two-lane roads with blind curves...trees, utility poles
and other fixed objects along the roadside...suburban streets with busy intersections:
these are just a few of the potentially hazardous situations you could encounter
behind the wheel.
You
Can Help Make America's Roadways Safer
Start
by taking a close look at the road around you. Take notice of potentially hazardous
conditions and make a mental note to adjust your driving accordingly.
- Observe the posted
speed limit and adjust your speed for weather and road conditions.
- Plan
an alternate route, if possible, that avoids potentially hazardous areas such
as work zones.
- Schedule
trips when traffic volume is lighter.
-
Be especially alert for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Make
sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
- Children
should always be buckeled up in the back seat.
| One-third
of all traffic deaths occur when vehicles leave the roadway and hit fixed objects
or turn over. |
Roadway
Safety Checklist
Use
the Roadway Safety Checklist to help you identify areas where extra caution is
needed on your next trip to work, to the grocery store or as you head out for
family vacation.
-
Is the road wide enough for you, an oncoming vehicle, and a pedestrian or bicyclist?
- Is
there a wide-enough shoulder to completely pull off the road to change a flat
tire?
- Are
there trees, utility poles or other fixed objects close to the roadway?
- Is the
road surface slick or poorly marked?
- Is
there a median strip or barrier to separate on-coming lanes of traffic?
- Do signs
give you advance warning of sharp curves or other sudden changes in direction?
- Do
intersections have confusing turn lanes or blind spots that make it difficult
to see other vehicles or traffic signals?
- Are
railroad crossings marked?
- Do
travel lanes narrow abruptly as you cross a bridge?
Roadway
Safety Information
Additional
sources of information about roadway safety:
American
Automobile Association (AAA)
1000 AAA Drive, MS 76
Heathrow, FL 32746-5063
407-444-7913, FAX: 407-444-7856
www.aaa.com
American
Highway Users Alliance
1776 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 500
Washington,
DC 20036
202-857-1200
www.highways.org
Federal Highway Administration
Office
of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety
400 7th Street SW, HMH-01
Washington,
DC 20590
202-366-2519, FAX: 202-366-6298
www.fhwa.dot.gov
National Highway Trafic Safety Administration
400 7th Street SW, NTS-21
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-2727
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
National
Safety Council
1121 Spring Lake Drive
Itasca, IL 60143-3201
603-285-1121
www.nsc.org
