Statement from National Coalition for Safer Roads on Updated NHTSA 2010 Fatality and Injury Data Showing Intersection Related Crashes Decrease 7.1 Percent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released updated 2010 FARS data today showing that intersection-related fatality crashes declined by 7.1 percent (7,278 in 2009 to 6,758 in 2010).

"Today's announcement is another indication that combining the right lifesaving strategies and technologies can help reduce crashes, protect Americans and save lives. This is a tribute to all the dedicated safety advocates and organizations working to implement traffic safety programs and policies on the ground. Safety belt programs, drunk-driving initiatives, intersection safety cameras - they all deliver positive results and save lives. We've made great strides in reducing fatalities and injuries, but we must continue to do everything possible to make roads and intersections safe - including expanding the use of intersection safety cameras - to drive down the unnecessary deaths and injuries from crashes on our roadways."

David Kelly is the president and executive director of the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) and former acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NCSR was organized as an industry trade association with the express purpose of advocating on behalf of the traffic safety technology industry. NCSR is proud to advocate for the use of red light safety cameras in more than 600 communities across the country to change reckless driver behavior, stop red-light running and save lives. NCSR is supported by American Traffic Solutions, with coalition partners including the National Safety Council; Safe Kids USA; Child Safety Network; National Organizations for Youth Safety; America Walks; and Red Means Stop, as well as numerous police departments, medical professionals, safety advocates, industry leaders, community leaders and concerned citizens. View NCSR Partners. For more information, visit http://SafeRoadsSaveLives.org/, follow @SaferRoadsUSA on Twitter and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SaferRoadsUSA.

SOURCE National Coalition for Safer Roads