2017: Highway Safety Year in Review

The below article is excerpted from GHSA's Directions in Highway Safety member newsletter.

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December 2017 Newsletter

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January – GHSA supports the nomination and confirmation of the new U.S. DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao. GHSA participates in the TRB’s 2017 conference.AV Cover

February – GHSA releases a first-of-its-kind report to help states engage in autonomous vehicle (AV) safety and policy discussions. Ford Driving Skills for Life begins its annual national tour with a stop in Miami, Florida, the first of 13 cities visited throughout 2017.

March – In a report on pedestrian safety, GHSA forecasts a sharp spike in pedestrian fatalities in 2016. GHSA meets with NHTSA leadership to discuss revisions to the Traffic Records Assessment Advisory.

DUID CoverApril – Through funding from Responsibility.org, GHSA publishes an update to its 2015 drug-impaired driving report. GHSA representatives join a workgroup to revise NHTSA’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Assessment Advisory.

May – GHSA kicks off its first year of drowsy driving grants with the National Road Safety Foundation, providing $75,000 in funding to five states: Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and Tennessee.

June – Ford DSFL and GHSA announce the recipients (Georgia, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and New York) of 2017’s teen safe driving grants, marking 10 years of the state grant program. The National Cooperative Research and Evaluation Program releases a report on the impact of marijuana legalization on DWI systems.

July – GHSA applauds the NTSB for its report highlighting the dangers of speeding. GHSA submits comments to NHTSA calling for a FAST Act final rule to govern the highway safety grant programs.Bike Report Cover

August – With support from State Farm®, GHSA publishes a report on bicyclist safety, analyzing national data and providing action steps to help prevent motor vehicles collisions with bicyclists. GHSA meets with NHTSA leadership to reinforce the need for a FAST Act final rule. NHTSA releases the 5th edition of MMUCC (the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria), codeveloped by GHSA.

Sec ChaoSeptember – At its 2017 Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, GHSA and a record number of attendees explore Highway Safety in a New Era. U.S. DOT Secretary Chao delivers an opening keynote address.

October – GHSA and NHTSA co-host the 2017 Strategic Communications Forum, which brings together highway safety communicators from 38 states to discuss the latest trends, successes, and challenges.

November – Twenty-seven new SHSO leaders gather in Albuquerque, New Mexico for GHSA’s Executive Seminar. The National Law Enforcement Liaison Program hosts a national conference attended by more than 100 LELs from across the country. GHSA submits comments on U.S. DOT’s strategic plan and NHTSA’s AV policy v2.0. GHSA and NHTSA kick-off a new research project on supporting the relationship between State Highway Safety Offices and law enforcement.

December – GHSA members implement law enforcement and education campaigns to keep drunk and drugged drivers off the roads during the holiday season. GHSA reiterates the need for a FAST Act final rule and submits new feedback on revisions to the Traffic Records Assessment Advisory.