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Read the latest news and announcements from traffic safety interest groups and about traffic safety topics here.
Cities use smart technologies to improve transportation and law enforcement services. Smart transportation systems include technologies that can be used to detect the number and speed of vehicles traveling along roadways. Data from these technologies generally feed into a transportation management center, which enables traffic managers to analyze this information. Smart technologies that support traffic […]
A statistical projection of traffic fatalities for 2024 shows an estimated 39,345 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, a decrease of about 3.8 percent compared to the 40,901 fatalities reported to have occurred in 2023, as shown in Table 1. The fourth quarter of 2024 represents the 11th consecutive quarterly decline in fatalities beginning […]
For decades, public safety has been a priority for state departments of transportation (DOTs) as they strive to reduce traffic crashes. To support these efforts, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Safety developed a list of proven safety countermeasures that include brief descriptions, information sheets, and additional references. These measures have been field-tested and […]
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), designed to assist drivers with various aspects of driving, are becoming increasingly common. Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) is designed to prevent drivers from departing their lane unintentionally. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is designed to maintain a driver-specified speed and gap to the vehicle ahead. Partial automation (PA) systems combine ACC […]
Towing and service technicians and other responders are at high risk of being struck by passing motorists while working at the roadside. The fatal and serious injury rate is about 16 times higher than for other industries. With the goal to significantly improve the safety of roadside responders, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has […]
Dial-a-ride and fixed-route transit options are some of the ways that microtransit services have traditionally been implemented in rural areas. App-based booking and dynamic routing are among the newer offerings transit agencies are exploring to provide greater flexibility and more spontaneous options for users. TCRP Synthesis 178: Microtransit Solutions in Rural Communities: On-Demand Alternatives to […]
The percentage of passenger vehicle drivers talking on handheld phones in 2023 remained unchanged from the previous year’s level of 2.1 percent (Figure 1 and Table 1). The percentage of drivers speaking with visible headsets while driving increased to 0.5 percent from the previous year’s level of 0.4 percent (Figure 1 and Table 2). Drivers’ […]
The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides funding for states to improve safety at public crossings through the Railway-Highway Crossings Program (RHCP). GAO found that states used RHCP funding to address safety risks. For example, states added or upgraded existing equipment at crossings—such as bells, lights, and gates—from 2019 through 2023. During the […]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration works to reduce the occurrence of distracted driving and raise awareness of its dangers. This risky driving behavior poses a danger not only to vehicle occupants but pedestrians and pedalcyclists as well. Driver distraction is a specific type of driver inattention that occurs when drivers divert attention from the […]
Risky driving behaviors, such as speeding and distraction, are prominent contributing factors in motor vehicle crashes. Finding ways to reduce such behaviors is paramount and will have a positive impact on traffic safety. One such avenue, smartphone apps, can monitor and track these behaviors as well as deliver timely and tailored feedback to drivers. Indeed, […]