Safe System Weekly | December 13, 2024
by Russ Martin
Welcome to this week’s edition! As we near the end of the calendar year, we’re continuing to watch a few things: whether Congress will approve a federal budget deal or postpone until next year, what further transportation changes may come in the transition to the new administration, and finally, what additional items will U.S. DOT push out as the current administration wraps up?
NHTSA Announces Crash Data Collection Grants to States
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded $171 million in grants to 19 states and territories under the State Electronic Data Collection program to improve electronic crash data collection and sharing.
NHTSA Launches Winter Holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign
Drunk driving still accounts for almost a third of all fatal crashes. View the recording of NHTSA’s California press conference for this year’s launch.
FHWA Accepting Submissions of Every Day Counts Ideas
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is now welcoming suggested innovations as part of its eighth cycle of Every Day Counts.
IIHS: Lower Speeds Do Not Make Taller Vehicles Safe for Pedestrians
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety studied real-world crash data and found that vehicles with large front ends are more likely to seriously injure pedestrians at low and high speeds.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Releases 2025 Roadmap to Safety
This annual report rates states based on their traffic safety laws, such as seat belt requirements, distracted driving laws, automated enforcement, and others.
TRB: Innovative Approaches to Enhancing Safety and Efficiencies in Work Zones
A new National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) report lists significant new technological solutions to protect roadside workers, such as warning and alert systems, variable speed limits, merge assistance systems, and more.
GHSA Releases Youth Distracted Driving Social Media Toolkit and Safety Card for Delivery Drivers
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) partnered with Youthcast Media Group to work with youth to develop distracted driving social media posts, collected in a new toolkit. GHSA has also partnered with Amazon to produce a digital tip card to help delivery drivers stay safe this holiday season.
AASHTO Releases 5th Edition of Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has announced an updated “AASHTO Bike Guide” on best practices in bicycling infrastructure.
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Vision Zero Network Releases Speed Camera Equity Guide
The new Vision Zero Network (VZN) report discusses how to equitably implement speed safety cameras, such as how to place them, set appropriate penalties, and use the revenue generated.
💡 This report provides enhanced justification for many well-trod recommendations for automated enforcement in terms of planning, transparency, public feedback, and safety focus. All safety camera programs should adopt recognized best practices to remain effective and sustainable.
GM Cruise Dissolves Cruise Automation
General Motors is folding its Cruise robo-taxi unit into its broader team, the end of an era for one of the former leading autonomous vehicle technology firms.
Michigan Authorizes Work Zone Speed and School Bus Cameras
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills to allow the use of safety cameras to protect roadside workers throughout the Wolverine State and to allow cameras on school buses to enforce bus passing violations.
Belle Isle, Florida Adopts Vision Zero Resolution
CS is part of a team that has helped MetroPlan Orlando create a Vision Zero Action Plan for a number of Central Florida cities.
Join us at TRB 2025!
We are proud sponsors of next month’s TRB Annual Meeting. Meet our team and learn about our work at booth 312 in the exhibit hall and stop by the Careers in Motion Networking Fair to learn about CS career opportunities.
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That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading!
Send me any updates you'd like me to include next week at rmartin@camsys.com or message me on LinkedIn.