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Feds and States Swap Notes on Car Accident Prevention

Federal transportation officials as well as state officials met in the nation’s  capital recently to discuss ways to reduce car accident wrongful deaths.

Most states were represented at the gathering with 17 states declining  to participate, and out of these, 10 of those states had traffic accident death rates that were higher than the national average in 2021.  For most transportation officials, the past couple of years have been frustrating to say the least. After several decades of declining traffic accident deaths,  the years  since the pandemic  have actually seen traffic accident deaths inching  upwards once again.  There have been increases reported in almost every category of accidents, from pedestrian accidents to speed – related accidents and distracted driving – related accidents.  Clearly,  new challenges have emerged since the pandemic and fresh strategies are required to deal with these.

Some states reported at the conference that  they have successfully limited the impact of poor driving on accident numbers through very simple steps.  These steps  have involved the use of simple techniques, like rumble strips on highways as well as reflective tape on stop signs in order to help motorists pay stronger attention to the task of driving. Some states are investing in corridors for pedestrians.  Others have increased fines on speeding while some states have focused on construction work zone safety with a specific focus on protecting construction workers in these dangerous zones. Many of these initiatives have  met with great success,  and provide a blueprint for other states to follow these efforts.

The meeting was held to commemorate the second anniversary of the announcement of the National Roadways Safety Strategy by the administration.  The  adoption of the  National Roadways Safety Strategy has provided a  blueprint that includes  better roads, safer drivers, safer cars,  better post-accident care as  well as safer speeds in order to reduce car accident death numbers.  Borrowing  from blueprints adopted by the airline industry to drastically lower the number of plane crashes,  the  strategy focuses on the main contributing factors in auto accident deaths.

The federal administration also used the gathering to announce that it was inviting applications for more than a  billion dollars in grants  to be used for road safety initiatives. Through initiatives like Roads For All and Safe Streets, the administration plans to disperse more than $1.5 billion dollars in grants that can be used for road planning initiatives and other projects.

The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at  our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages.  You  may qualify for damages that include medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering and other forms of damages.  Talk  to an attorney at our   firm and discuss your case.  Initial  consultations are free.

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