TRIP report estimates $1.9 trillion in societal harm from fatal and serious traffic crashes in 2022 TRIP report estimates $1.9 trillion in societal harm from fatal and serious traffic crashes in 2022 Maria Robertson / Wednesday, June 21, 2023 0 5901 Article rating: No rating TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, this morning released a report showing that the high number of traffic fatalities and serious-injury crashes over the past three years took a significant toll on the nation in both lives lost and economic costs. Utilizing data from a 2023 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, TRIP estimated that fatal and serious traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022 caused a total of $1.9 trillion in “societal harm,” including $465 billion in economic costs and $1.4 trillion in quality-of-life costs. Read more
Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11% Work zone traffic fatalities rise nearly 11% Newly released data shows 108 roadway workers killed in 2021 Pam / Thursday, April 13, 2023 0 4887 Article rating: 1.0 Fatalities in roadway work zones increased nearly 11% from 2020 to 2021, with deaths rising from 863 to 956, according to newly released federal data. Drivers and passengers accounted for 778 of the 956 fatalities for 2021, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows. “The continuing increase in work zone fatalities drives home the importance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which begins on Monday,” said ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “We encourage every driver to be vigilant as they approach work zones and travel through them. This time of year sees a surge in work zones on the nation’s roadways so it’s important for everyone to recognize they play a role in work zone safety and to work with us.” Read more
ATSSA board member testifying before Congress on Wednesday ATSSA board member testifying before Congress on Wednesday Pam / Tuesday, June 7, 2022 0 5198 Article rating: 2.0 ATSSA Board Member Cindy Williams will testify on Capitol Hill before the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee on Wednesday regarding roadway safety and the rising number of traffic fatalities. Williams is president of Time Striping in Van Buren, Ark., and president of the Arkansas ATSSA Chapter. The hearing will be livestreamed at 10 a.m. on the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure website. As ATSSA reported on May 17, traffic fatalities across the U.S. rose 10.5% in 2021 to a projected 42,915 deaths, reaching a 16-year high, according to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Read more
Traffic fatalities rose an estimated 10.5% in 2021, reach 16-year high, NHTSA reports Traffic fatalities rose an estimated 10.5% in 2021, reach 16-year high, NHTSA reports Trend in fatality rate for vehicle miles traveled decreased for three quarters of 2021 Pam / Tuesday, May 17, 2022 0 22286 Article rating: 3.0 Traffic fatalities across the U.S. rose 10.5% in 2021 to a projected 42,915 deaths, reaching a 16-year high, according to statistics released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That projected increase from 38,824 fatalities in 2020 is “the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the largest annual percentage increase in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history,” NHTSA announced today. ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner expressed concern over the record-breaking fatality rate. “ATSSA’s members have devoted their lives to roadway safety and providing the infrastructure and technology needed to save the lives of the motoring public as well as men and women working on our roadways,” Tetschner said. “This unprecedented increase in traffic fatalities brings home the importance of our work and the necessity of government and private industry partnering to provide safe thoroughfares. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was enacted into law in November, provides historic levels of federal funding for roadway safety infrastructure projects. Departments of transportation around the country, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, must prioritize getting these funds to critical, lifesaving safety projects as soon as possible. We know that safer roads save lives. ATSSA members are ready to go to work with their agency partners to move toward zero deaths on all roads.” Read more
ATSSA president contacts DOT leaders amid soaring fuel costs and record inflation ATSSA president contacts DOT leaders amid soaring fuel costs and record inflation Pam / Thursday, April 14, 2022 0 4188 Article rating: 2.0 ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner contacted the leaders of every state’s department of transportation (DOT) requesting contract price adjustments for ATSSA members in light of the rapid increase in fuel costs, significant inflation and the volatility of the situation. “We strongly encourage you to consider immediate action to help remediate the effects of the recent and rapid increase in fuel costs across the country, most specifically as it affects the roadway industry, where roadway projects that were bid months ago are now being awarded and businesses are experiencing losses due to inflationary operational costs,” Tetschner wrote in the April 8 letter. Tetschner notes that inflation “is at a four-decade high and gas prices continue to increase,” having increased 45% over this time one year ago. Read more
Traffic fatalities make historic increase for first nine months of 2021, NHTSA reports Traffic fatalities make historic increase for first nine months of 2021, NHTSA reports Pam / Wednesday, February 2, 2022 0 4807 Article rating: No rating Traffic fatalities increased 12% for the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, marking the biggest percentage increase in the history of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fatality reporting process, which projects fatality data. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) provides statistical projections for traffic fatalities nationwide, looking at the first nine months of the year in this report that provides an early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities. The 12% increase is based on an estimated 31,720 people killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide in the first nine months of 2021 compared to 28,325 killed in the first nine months of 2020. That is the highest number of fatalities for nine months since 2006. Read more
Survey of highway contractors shows six in 10 reported a crash into their work zone Survey of highway contractors shows six in 10 reported a crash into their work zone AGC-HCSS Software Solutions survey includes assessment of dangers Pam / Thursday, June 24, 2021 0 7712 Article rating: No rating Two reports this month offer stark reminders of the risks of highway work zones and the importance of roadway safety. Today, we look at results of a survey of highway workers regarding work zone incidents and the issues contractors identified as key to improving safety for employees in work zones. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and HCSS Software Solutions surveyed highway contractors on their experiences with respect to work zone safety in 2020. Their 2021 Work Zone Awareness Survey Results, which included responses from 292 firms, found that 60% of contractors reported at least one motor vehicle crash in their work zone. Read more
Roadway fatalities and work zone incidents in 2020 spell concern for roadway safety advocates Roadway fatalities and work zone incidents in 2020 spell concern for roadway safety advocates NHTSA projects 7.2% increase in motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2020 Pam / Wednesday, June 23, 2021 0 7620 Article rating: 4.0 Two reports this month offer stark reminders of the risks of highway work zones and the importance of roadway safety. Today we look at the latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which released its early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities for 2020. Tomorrow, we will look at results of a survey of highway workers regarding work zone incidents and the issues contractors identified as key to improving safety for employees in work zones. Read more
NHTSA declares October 'Pedestrian Safety Month' NHTSA declares October 'Pedestrian Safety Month' Goal is to encourage alertness by motorists Pam / Monday, September 28, 2020 0 7681 Article rating: No rating Pedestrians take the forefront in October with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) holding its first “Pedestrian Safety Month,” a national educational outreach to heighten awareness for motorists and pedestrians of all ages. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) held a Summit on Pedestrian Safety in July during which groups representing both pedestrian and bicyclist organizations took part. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety offers a “focused approach” program to target specific issues including pedestrian and bicyclist safety in jurisdictions across the nation. It offers examples of programs that have undertaken changes to target this issue. Read more
Bicycle and pedestrian safety increasingly relevant during pandemic Bicycle and pedestrian safety increasingly relevant during pandemic Bicycle fatalities rise while automotive fatalities drop, NTSB reports Pam / Monday, September 14, 2020 0 6185 Article rating: No rating In a year in which, bicycling and walking became increasingly popular as people sought outlets during stay-at-home orders and social distancing because of COVID-19, individual safety is of utmost importance. Recent national data – especially for bicyclists - isn’t encouraging, however. Bicycle fatalities increased 22% between 2007 and 2018, while automotive fatalities dropped 11% in the same period, according to the latest National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) statistics. Today marks the start of “United for Infrastructure: A Week to Champion America’s Infrastructure,” a nationwide effort to draw the attention of policymakers and the public about the significance of infrastructure to the economy and communities. It encompasses a broad range of infrastructure issues including bicycle and pedestrian safety. Read more