US DOT and NSC launch Road to Zero Coalition to stop roadway fatalities

TIN news:   The US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), have joined with the National Safety Council (NSC) to start a new programme called the Road to Zero Coalition.
The new initiative has been designed and developed with an objective to end fatalities on the nation’s roads within the next 30 years.
US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: “Our vision is simple, zero fatalities on our roads.

"We are committing significant resources to the serious effort being put forth to make the ambitious goal of zero deaths an eventual reality."

“We know that setting the bar for safety to the highest possible standard requires commitment from everyone to think differently about safety, from drivers to industry, safety organisations and government at all levels.”
The US DOT will be granting $1m every year for the next three years to the organisations working on lifesaving programmes.
Last year, there was a sharp rise in the traffic deaths since 1966, and according to this year’s preliminary estimates showed an increase of about 10.4% in comparison to last year’s number of fatalities in the first half.
FMCSA Administrator Scott Darling said: “Working closely with our partners, both inside and outside the Department, we are committing significant resources to the serious effort being put forth to make the ambitious goal of zero deaths an eventual reality.
“While we work tirelessly every day to promote safer roadways, we understand that this coalition will only succeed if we all do our part and pledge to make safety our highest priority.”
The Road to Zero Coalition programme will concentrate on the promotion of lifesaving strategies, which includes improving seat belt use, installing rumble strips, truck safety, behavior change campaigns and data-driven enforcement.
Apart from this, the new coalition will focus on development of a new scenario-based vision to achieve zero traffic deaths based on evidence-based strategies and a systematic approach to eliminating risks.