Welcome to the FHWA Safety Program

Reducing Highway Fatalities

That’s our job and our commitment – we work with our State and Local partners and others in the transportation community to develop and promote programs and technologies to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our Nation’s roadways. In 2011, 32,885 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States – the lowest number of deaths since 1949 (30,246 fatalities in 1949). In addition, 2010 saw the lowest fatality and injury rates ever recorded: 1.10 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2010, compared to 1.13 deaths for 2009. The number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2010 declined for a 11th straight year in a row, falling an estimated 2.9 percent from 2009.

The FHWA Office of Safety's mission is to reduce highway fatalities by making our roads safer through a data–driven, systematic approach and addressing all “4Es” of safety: engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency medical services. Increasing awareness of the need for roadway safety infrastructure improvements is very important. We are striving to provide decision–makers important information, tools and resources that will improve the safety performance of roadways. Safety should be considered first, every time and at every stage of a project. Make safety your first consideration in every investment decision.

New! Proven Safety Countermeasures

This Web site will be your one-stop shop for information on the latest FHWA-recommended set of research-proven safety countermeasures and FHWA guidance on countermeasure considerations. The updated list of proven countermeasures was developed based on recent safety research to address intersection, roadway departure,and pedestrian issues wherever they may occur.

Many of these countermeasures are low-cost solutions, and FHWA encourages its partners to consider implementing these countermeasures broadly, as appropriate, to reap the benefits of using solutions that are known to save lives.

LEARN MORE TODAY!

New! 2011 National Roadway Safety Awards

Every two years, since 1999, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) joins with the Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) to recognize innovative, efficient roadway safety projects and programs that eliminate or sharply reduce highway deaths across the country. Awards are presented in three categories:

Infrastructure Improvements
Operational Improvements
Program Planning, Development and Evaluation

FHWA and RSF presented 9 awards and 2 honorable mentions at a luncheon ceremony on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, in Washington, DC. Read more...

New! Roadway safety Professional Capacity Building Website

This Web site contains critical resources that can help roadway safety professionals increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities on the broad range of safety issues encountered in their jobs. The site features:

Roadway Safety Peer-to-Peer Program – a technical assistance program that helps agencies effectively manage, deploy, and implement roadway safety programs.
Noteworthy Practices Database – case studies of successful practices organized by safety topics and State.
Communities of Practice – online communities of roadway safety professionals engaged in information exchange on safety topics such as Safety Data and Program Management.
Training and Education – links to roadway safety training and education resources offered by U.S. Department of Transportation offices and partner organizations.

VISIT THE SITE

The Safety Edge

The asphalt paving technique called the Safety Edge is gaining momentum across the country as State transportation departments strive to protect motorists from run-off-the-road crashes. The Federal Highway Administration recommends that States use the safety edge technique—particularly on two-lane roads with unpaved shoulders. Read more...

Highway Safety Improvement Program

Intersection Safety

Local & Rural Road Safety

Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

Roadway Departure Safety

Speed Management Safety

Additional Safety Programs & Initiatives

Including Safety Strategies in the Recovery Act Delivery

The safety of the traveling public and of the workers on the roadway is of utmost concern to the administration. Many safety improvements can be easily and cost effectively incorporated into existing "ready to go" projects without changing the scope or delaying the project. Making small changes to these projects can produce big safety benefits. As an example, incorporating rumble strips into a resurfacing project can cost as little at $600 per mile, and the benefits in terms of reductions in fatalities and serious injuries are dramatic.

Another way to achieve these safety benefits is through "programmatic" or "system-wide" projects that may focus on addressing safety issues in a particular area or corridor. Examples include projects that systemically install proven safety countermeasures such as guardrails, warning signs, striping, rumble strips, rumble stripes, safety edge and median barriers. Click here for more information on these and other proven safety countermeasures. This system-wide approach may be particularly useful to local governments.

Strategic Highway Safety Plans (SHSPs) are a good starting point for identifying stand-alone safety projects or enhancements to "ready to go" projects that can be implemented, constructed, and advanced quickly. The Economic Recovery Delivery is an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of these safety action plans, and the sooner these safety features can be put in place, the sooner they will save lives.

Furthermore, many state SHSPs include a data system improvement element. Improved data systems are eligible activities and such projects do not require the intensive planning, design, approvals, and permitting that construction projects do. The Office of Safety and our Field office Safety Specialists are prepared to help advance these important, life-saving, investments. see more info