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Reducing Roadway Hazards Can Save Thousands of Lives
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 Communities across the country are urged to address the issue of deadly roadway hazards such as poles and trees, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Roadway Safety Foundation. Contributing factors involved in traffic crashes between vehicles and trees, utility poles, roadside ditches or similar hazards include drunk driving, speed, or fatigue or severe weather.
Kathy Hoffman, executive director of the non-profit Roadway Safety Foundation , points out, "Often it's the simple things like a dangerously placed utility pole, an incorrectly installed guardrail or an exposed bridge pier that leads to severe injuries and death in a car crash." Hoffman adds, "The most tragic thing is that these deaths and injuries can be prevented."
Most of the annual 42,000 car crash fatalities occur on two-lane roads where many of the roadway hazards are located. The U.S. Federal Highway Department noted in 1995 alone there were 37,221 fatal vehicle crashes resulting in 41,798 deaths across the U.S., and 77 percent of these fatal crashes (28,552) occurred on two-lane roads. Nearly 12,000 of all fatalities that occur each year involve vehicles hitting fixed objects such as trees and poles, according to the government.
 Another perspective on the problem of vehicle crashes involving a fatality is the overall increase between 1975 and 1996. The U.S. Department of Transportation notes that in 1975, the crash deaths as a percent of all motor vehicle deaths was 25%. By 1976 it has grown to 28%.
Finally, what are the worst holidays for traffic fatalities and what are the worst days of the week. From a holiday standpoint, July 4th is the deadliest date and Saturday is the deadliest day of the week.
What can be done? The public, working with their local governments, can change this dangerous situation on a community-by-community basis. Interested citizens can work to identify roadway hazards and to notify local officials traffic engineers that a problem exists and that federal funds may be available for a solution.
With the passage of the $216 billion transportation bill this year, "TEA 21" funding is available. Working together, community groups and their local governments can make dangerous roads safer. |
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