The Roadway Infrastructure Safety Coalition (RISC) recently welcomed the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) to its coalition as its newest member. RISC was created to work to reduce deaths on America’s roadways by improving roadway safety infrastructure through the federal legislative, regulatory and budgetary process. Evidence suggests that roadway infrastructure plays a significant role in as much as one-third of the deaths that occur annually.
RISC is currently composed of the following organizations all committed to reducing deaths on our nation’s roadways through investing in roadway safety infrastructure: the American Highway Users Alliance (The Highway Users), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO).
ASHE, whose members include transportation planners, designers, contractor and suppliers and state and local government officials, adds a new perspective to the coalition through its focus on promoting a safe, efficient and sustainable highway system through education, innovation and fellowship. Transportation and rural roadway safety is a concern for local communities throughout the nation and it is something that ASHE is very concerned with as an organization.
RISC is particularly concerned with improving safety on America’s rural roads. Although 40% of America’s roadways are considered rural, fatalities on rural roads account for approximately 57% of all roadway deaths.
ASHE President Richard Clifton, P.E., reiterated his organization’s commitment to making all roadways safe for motorists by saying, “ASHE is proud to be part of RISC and we look forward to working together as a strong roadway safety coalition to help reduce the significant number of roadway fatalities that occur on our nation’s roadways.”
Throughout the 111th Congress, RISC hopes to shine a light on the need to invest in the safety of the roadway itself. The reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which is scheduled to be completed in 2009, will be a key focus of the coalition.
