U.S. Governor’s Focus on Traffic Safety Praised

• February 8th, 2018

Statement for attribution to Governors Highway Safety Association Executive Director Jonathan Adkins

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the National Governors Association (NGA) releases its State Strategies to Reduce Highway and Traffic Fatalities and Injuries: A Road Map for States. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is proud to have assisted in the development of this important report and pleased to participate in today’s launch. This project elevates the profile of traffic safety and provides concrete recommendations that have tremendous potential to improve safety outcomes.

In 2016, 37,461 people were killed on America’s roads, a 5.6% increase over the prior year. With driver behavior as the critical factor in 94% of crashes, we need additional focus on and investment in highway safety more than ever. This timely report will help states identify and deploy proven countermeasures to reduce crashes and injuries. NGA’s guide is complemented by the CDC’s newly redesigned online calculator, which gives state decision-makers a tool to quantify the injuries prevented, lives saved, and cost savings associated with these countermeasures.

Governors are uniquely positioned to provide leadership on highway safety and foster statewide collaboration among other various agencies, including State Highway Safety Offices. GHSA is glad to support this new report and looks forward to continuing to work with NGA and the safety community to achieve zero traffic fatalities on our roadways.

Released on February 6, 2018

Contact: Kara Macek, kmacek@ghsa.org

202-789-0942 x 140