Roadway Safety Association Cites Safer Roads and Infrastructure Improvements as Key Contributors in Saving Lives

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released the final national highway fatality figures, reporting 32,367 highway deaths in 2011. This figure reflects a decrease of 1.9 percent from the previous year and is the lowest number reported in 60 years.

The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), a roadway safety trade association, believes a national commitment by roadway owners to improve the nation's infrastructure played a key role in reducing the number of fatalities on America's roadways.   

"This reduction in fatalities is due – in large part – to the success of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) that provides funding to state and local governments to invest in roadway safety infrastructure projects that makes roadways safer for motorists, their passengers, and other road users," said ATSSA President and Chief Executive Officer Roger Wentz. "These projects include safety devices such as guardrails and median cable barriers, rumble strips, and highly reflective pavement markings and signs. These devices help millions of Americans navigate safely on our nation's roadways every day and do indeed save lives."

The association also commends federal, state and local officials for their ongoing commitment to improve America's infrastructure.

"With the enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century Act (MAP-21) and the near doubling of HSIP funds, state and local governments can continue to help make roadways as safe as possible for the motoring public," said ATSSA's Government Relations Director Laura Perrotta.   

ATSSA, an international trade association, is located in Fredericksburg, Va. Since 1969, ATSSA 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 our nation's roadways safer. These include pavement markings, road signs, work zone traffic control devices, guardrail, and other roadside safety features.

NHTSA's report, "2011 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview," is located at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811701.pdf

On the web: ATSSA.com

Contact: James Scott Baron
(540) 368-1701, ext. 113

SOURCE American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)