PLANS AND PROGRAMMING FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY TO THE YEAR 2010

Many factors have contributed to improvement in highway safety including more crashworthy vehicle design, increased usage of occupant restraints, growing public intolerance of DWI, and more forgiving highways. However, over 45,000 lives are lost each year in highway accidents and the long downward trend of accident rates appears to be leveling out. The plan presented recommends no new massive spending initiative although added funding in selected areas may be necessary. Rather, the plan calls for more subtle yet essential actions such as establishment of a national safety goal, enhancement of accountability and awareness and improvement in the design/selection process for facilities upgrading.