The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), an international roadway safety organization founded in 1969, released to its members its 2009 surface transportation reauthorization policy titled “Toward Zero Deaths,” during ATSSA’s 38th Annual Convention and Traffic Expo, held Feb. 8-12 in New Orleans.
The 31-page document outlines 11 specific roadway safety initiatives that the association’s1,700 members will propose to Congress and the Administration for inclusion in the next surface transportation law. The current law–The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)–was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Aug. 10, 2005 for a five-year period–2005-2009.
ATSSA’s “zero deaths” concept was first adopted in Sweden in 1997 as “Vision Zero,” and has evolved to several state DOTs who have identified zero deaths as a core objective in their Strategic Highway Safety Plans. These states are Minnesota, Utah, Washington, Oregon and West Virginia.
ATSSA’s 11 unique roadway safety initiatives include a Highway Safety Improvement Program, Strategic Highway Safety Plans, Work Zone Safety, High Risk Rural Roads, Roadway Hardware, Brightness and Visibility of Signage and Markings, Older Drivers, Congestion Mitigation, Funding Roadway Safety, Funding the Highway Trust Fund and Additional Recommendations.
Congressman James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, addressed ATSSA members in New Orleans on Feb. 10, and spoke about ATSSA’s Toward Zero Deaths policy, as well as the 39-year-old association’s role as roadway safety leaders.
"As we move into (this) next year and the reauthorization of the surface transportation legislation, you (ATSSA) are going to be–during my Chairmanship–you’re going to be centerpiece of that reauthorization. We’re going to have an unprecedented emphasis on safety, and you are going to be a part of it," Oberstar said.
He continued, "ATSSA's (Toward Zero) vision recommendations follow very much along the broad outlines of the national commission's report, and I assure you your recommendations–those 11 points that you revealed today that I have had a chance to review in detail–will be a foundational building block in our review and restructuring of surface transportation and we need your partnership, and we need your participation in the hearings and in the in the crafting of the legislation.”
ATSSA’s full document, “Toward Zero Deaths, A Vision for Safer Roads in America,” is located on the main page of ATSSA.com as a downloadable PDF.
