An official website of the United States government.
Here's how you know
The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser's address (or "location") bar.
This site is also protected by an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate that's been signed by the U.S. government. The https:// means all transmitted data is encrypted — in other words, any information or browsing history that you provide is transmitted securely.
Read the latest news and announcements from traffic safety interest groups and about traffic safety topics here.
Communities across the nation are turning to the Safe System approach to design transportation systems as a way to eventually reduce crash deaths and injuries to zero—the goal of Vision Zero programs. The Safe System approach uses thoughtful road and vehicle design to minimize the chance of a crash when people make mistakes and, when […]
Communication campaigns are among the most widely used efforts to promote traffic safety and can be used to promote safe driving practices and knowledge of traffic laws, and otherwise educate the public. One way campaigns could be improved is to use behavior change theory in campaign development. Behavior change theories are developed to explain and […]
Recent reviews by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety noted that technology-based countermeasures such as cellphone blocking apps offer a promising approach to reducing distracted driving. However, acceptance and use of such apps remain low, especially among driving populations most prone to distraction. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is working with researchers at the […]
Many older adults rely on driving a motor vehicle to maintain independence and engage with their environments. However, driving safely can become a concern due to age-related changes in physical, cognitive, and sensory function. To extend the number of years that older adults can drive safely, some self-regulate their driving. Self-regulation refers to modifying driving […]
Federal aid to disaster-damaged highways and bridges has been available since the 1930s. The U.S. Department of Transportation provides federal assistance for disaster-damaged federal-aid highways through the Emergency Relief (ER) Program administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The program is funded by a permanent annual authorization of $100 million from the Highway Trust Fund […]
With new advanced vehicle technology, drivers can allow automation to take on parts of the driving task. However, when circumstances dictate, drivers must be able to take back control of the vehicle safely and efficiently. Examining ways of supporting these control transitions is imperative and can help to realize the intended safety benefits of vehicle […]
A statistical projection of traffic fatalities for the first half of 2023 shows an estimated 19,515 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, a decrease of about 3.3 percent as compared to 20,190 fatalities projected to have occurred in the first half of 2022, as shown in Table 1. The second quarter of 2023 represents […]
This project aimed to determine if excessive device use while driving is the result of an addiction, why this behavior persists, and what countermeasures to consider. This Traffic Tech briefly summarizes it. Reviewers consulted academic, government, and private-sector material from several disciplines including human factors, traffic safety, psychology, and demography. More than 270 sources were […]
The pedestrian safety month resource webinar recordings can be viewed here and focuses on the national roadway safety strategy. The webinar also covers valuable insights into topics such as data and safe streets for all, which highlights the importance of secure pedestrian environments community involvement in promoting pedestrian safety.
If you missed the pedestrian safety month resource webinar, please access the recordings here. The webinar focuses on the national roadway safety strategy, using the safe system approach, particularly on underserved communities. Also, valuable insights into topics are covered, such as data and safe streets for all, which highlights the importance of secure pedestrian environments […]