Roadway Safety Association Cites Highway Improvements As a Major Contributor in Reducing Roadway Fatalities

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that roadway deaths in the United States in 2010 fell to 32,885, the lowest level since 1949. The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) – a national roadway safety association – credits the nation's Highway Safety Improvement Program – or HSIP -- as a major contributor to this record low number.

HSIP, a core part of the Federal-aid highway program, was signed into law on Aug. 10, 2005 as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The program was established to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads through the implementation of infrastructure-related highway safety improvements. HSIP funds are typically spent on deploying lifesaving infrastructure safety measures that remain effective for years. 

"The HSIP enabled states to improve roadways and install lifesaving safety features like guardrails, cable barriers, highly-reflective signage, rumble strips and other improvements," said ATSSA President and CEO Roger Wentz. "Since its inception, the national number of fatalities has continued to decline year after year, from 42,708 in 2006, to 32,885 in 2010." 

In 2009, ATSSA commissioned Science Application International Corporation (SAIC) to assess the linkage between the HSIP and the declining fatality numbers. The study concluded that for every $1 million spent on safety, seven lives were saved, yielding a benefit to cost ratio of 42 to one.

"The study clearly illustrates that the increase in HSIP obligations provides a tremendous savings in terms of lives saved and the societal costs of traffic fatalities," Wentz said. "The Highway Safety Improvement Program has made it possible for more people to come home safely to their families and loved ones each and every day."

ATSSA is nationally recognized as the leader in work zone safety training. Since 1969, the Fredericksburg, Va.-based roadway safety association has represented companies and individuals in the traffic control and roadway safety industry. Over 1,600 ATSSA members provide the majority of features, services and devices used to make America's roadways safer. These include pavement markings, road signs, work zone traffic control devices, guardrail and other roadside safety features.

On the web: ATSSA.com

Request for a copy of the SAIC study:
[email protected] 
(540) 847-2800 (cell)

SOURCE American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)

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