State Safety Leaders Praise FAST Act

State Safety Leaders Praise FAST Act

New surface transportation bill provides funding, flexibility to help 
keep road users safe

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is pleased that Congress and the Administration have come together to enact this long-term bill that provides critical, lifesaving resources for state highway safety agencies. As the number of national roadway fatalities begins to climb after decades of decline, this legislation will help states fortify the programs already in place to combat the dangerous driver behaviors that contribute to 94 percent of crashes.

The FAST Act provides much needed funding stability to help states plan strategic responses to their most pressing highway safety challenges, including drunk and drug-impaired driving, lack of seat belt use, and excessive speed. In addition to modifying specific incentive grants to allow more states to qualify, the bill also reduces the administrative burden placed on states, so they can focus more of their resources where needed – on the proven formula of public education coupled with high visibility law enforcement efforts. The law also brings increased attention and resources to the problem of drug-impaired driving, a growing concern across the country.

GHSA’s member state agencies look forward to working with NHTSA and other federal, state and local partners to implement the FAST Act and will continue to advance highway safety. We congratulate Congress and the Administration on this important accomplishment.

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About GHSA
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GHSAhq or follow us on Twitter at @GHSAHQ.