New Highway Safety Priorities Announced by the GHSA
Vernon F. Betkey, Jr., Chairman of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), recently announced the GHSA's future priorities - highway safety reauthorization and distracted driving top his list.
The GHSA will seek long-term authorization of current federal highway programs, many of which are implemented by the GHSA. These programs, which expired in September of 2009, have remained in place thanks to short-term extensions from Congress. Chairman Betkey notes that it is important to gain long-term assurances of funding so that states can plan effective programs.
Focus on Continued Highway Safety
The GHSA is part of the State Highway Safety Alliance, a partnership of the GHSA and six other state associations. The State High Safety Alliance has a goal of halving motor vehicle fatalities by 2030, and has released shared reauthorization principles in an effort to achieve this goal. The shared reauthorization principles are:
- The establishment of a national performance goal and state targets
- An increase in highway safety funding
- Streamlined program administration
- Strengthened strategic highway safety planning
- Enhanced data collection and analysis
Chairman Betkey also announced that the GHSA will focus its efforts on the emerging highway safety issues of distracted driving, pedestrian safety and speeding/aggressive driving, while still working on other high-profile safety issues such as drunk driving and seatbelt use.
Chairman Betkey noted that the GHSA will "continue to advocate for a comprehensive approach" to distracted driving by emphasizing education, legislation, technological solutions and employer bans.
The work of Chairman Betkey and the GHSA seeks to save lives and keep us all safe on the highways of the United States. However, no matter how much attention is paid to education, legislation and enforcement, vehicle accidents, tragically, still occur. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney can protect your rights and help you seek compensation for medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
