national highway traffic safety administration overview
TRANSCRIPT
National Highway National Highway Traffic Safety Traffic Safety
AdministrationAdministrationOverviewOverview
www.photos.com
Susan KirinichSusan KirinichMay 14, 2009
Scope of the ProblemScope of the Problem
NHTSA ResponsibilitiesNHTSA Responsibilities
• Collecting and analyzing data on traffic crashes to identify the extent and nature of crashes
• Conducting research on advanced vehicle technology and behavioral safety countermeasures
• Providing guidance to States on effective traffic safety behavioral programs and strategies
• Regulating and enforcing vehicle safety standards
The NHTSA ApproachThe NHTSA Approach
• PERFORMANCE-BASED
• Regulating the performance rather than the design of vehicles and their components
• SCIENCE-BASED and DATA-DRIVEN
• Pre-crash, crash, post-crash
• Rulemakings are undertaken only when grounded in theory and backed by sound, empirical evidence.
NHTSA realizes its goals of increasing road and traffic safety by establishing and enforcing rules informed by a rigorous policy approach.
This approach is:
• COMPREHENSIVE• Human, Vehicle, Environment• All contributing factors examined
The focus is on areas where the greatest number of lives can be saved:
• Impaired driving fatalities – high visibility enforcement campaigns together with improvements to the court system
• Seat belt use – high visibility enforcement campaigns
• Child passenger safety – parental education/training
• Motorcycle fatalities – decrease impaired riding; increase helmet use
• Young drivers – GDL, increase seat belt use, decrease impaired driving
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Safety PrioritiesSafety Priorities
State Highway Safety GrantsState Highway Safety Grants
$7 M2011 (Child Safety and Child Booster Seat Incentive)
$235 M402 (State and Community Highway)
$124.5 M406 (Safety Belt Performance)
$25 M405 (Occupant Protection Incentive)
$29 M2009-HVE (High Visibility Enforcement)
$7 M2010 (Motorcyclist)
$139 M410 (Alcohol-Impaired Driving Countermeasures Incentive)
$34.5 M408 (State Traffic Safety Information Systems)
2009Section
HighHigh--Visibility Enforcement (HVE)Visibility Enforcement (HVE)Click It or Ticket (May 18 – May 31)
Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest. (Aug. 21 – Sept. 7)
• Proven method to increase seat belt use and reduce impaired driving.
• Coordinated national effort in all 50 States – more than 11,000 State and local law enforcement agencies take part.
• The goal is to not just issue more tickets or make arrests, but to alert people of the enforcement and create a general deterrent effect.
• HVE seat belt programs can increase state belt use by 9 percent over public education alone.
• HVE impaired driving programs can reduce alcohol-related crashes by 20 percent.
Snapshot of Road Safety in the U.S. in 2008Snapshot of Road Safety in the U.S. in 2008
Traffic fatalities and injuries continue to decrease with the lowest number of fatalities on record since 1961.
•~ 37,313 fatalities estimated (Down 9.1% from 2007)On average, 102 fatalities per dayIf seat belt use rates reached 90% nationwide, an additional 2,152 lives per year would be saved
•~ 2.5 million injuries per year (2007 estimate)
•$230 billion a year in economic costs
Emerging Trends & ChallengesEmerging Trends & Challenges
• Aging populationMore vulnerable than others. Increased risk as drivers, pedestrians and motorcyclists.
• New technologyCan help and/or hinder drivers – for example, portable electronic devices can be a driving distraction, especially for teens.
• Changes in the vehicle fleetFewer SUVs; more “alternative” vehicles like mini-trucks or hybrids.
• Challenges to proven safety lawsState “Minimum Legal Drinking Age 21” Laws
State motorcycle helmet laws
• Annually, road traffic crashes cause:
• 1.2 million deaths
• 20 – 50 million injuries
• By 2020, traffic crashes may become the 3rd largest contributor to the global burden of disease.
• Compared to 2000 levels, the 2020 estimate represents:
• An 80 percent increase in crashes in low- and middle-income countries.
• A 30 percent decrease in crashes in high-income countries.
Emerging Global TrendsEmerging Global Trends
