NHTSA’s Federal Perspective

What’s Big Now? and What’s Coming?

60th Annual Missouri Traffic and Safety Conference May 11-13, 2009 – Columbia, MO

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New Day

This is the beginning of a new day. God has given it to us to use as we will.

We can waste it or use for good, but what we do today is important because we are exchanging a day of our life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever leaving in its place something we have traded for it.

We want it to be a gain and not loss. We want it to be for good and not evil.

We want it to be success not failure.

What’s BIG Now? Highway Safety Good NEWS

1.28 fatality death rate the lowest fatality rate on record down from 1.37 (in 2007)

37,313 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes the lowest in five decades 9.1% lower than last year

What’s BIG Now? Highway Safety Good NEWS

Fatalities fell across the nation 14% in New England 10% in Eastern Seaboard States 7% in Region 7

3.0% decrease in Missouri

What’s BIG Now? Highway Safety Good NEWS

Safety Belt Use Rate increases nationally 83% national seat belt use rate -highest

ever 79.8 % Regional seat belt use rate

average 76% seat belt use rate in Missouri

What’s BIG Now? Highway Safety Good NEWS

Alcohol-Impaired Driving (2007) 12,998 fatalities involving a driver with

a BAC of .08 or higher - a 4% decrease

.43 alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate per 100 million VMT – a decrease from .45

What are the “Big Problems” Now?

Impaired Driving 32% of total motor vehicle traffic

fatalities involved alcohol impaired drivers

21-24 year olds - highest percentage of drivers who had BAC levels of .08 or higher

55% of drivers involved in a fatal crash who had been drinking had a BAC of .15 or greater

What are the “Big Problems” Now?

Restraint Use Only 27 states and DC have PBL laws 50% of passenger vehicle fatalities

unrestrained 61% of 16-20 year olds passenger

vehicle fatalities unrestrained 60% of 21-24 year old passenger

vehicle fatalities unrestrained

What are the “Big Problems” Now?

Motorcycle Fatalities (2007) 5,100 people died in motorcycle

crashes Fatalities have increased 10 years in a

row- 125% increase

What are the “Big Problems” Now?

Other Problems Speeding Aggressive Driving Young or Novice Drivers Distracted Driving Drowsy Drivers Older Driver

What’s ComingContributing to Problems

Population Growth Will grow to more than 323 million

Aging of U.S. Population Ages 65+ 34 million to 53 million

Large Number of Younger Drivers 36 million 16-24 year olds to 43

Congestion More vehicles, more stress, more

aggressive driving

What ‘s Coming? Countermeasures That Work

Programs to buckle up high risk driver populations – CIOT for the hard to convince -24/7

High Visibility Enforcement Impaired Driving - more focused

Ignition Interlock laws and programs for first time and repeat offenders

What ‘s Coming? Countermeasures That Work

Increased use of FMVSS compliant helmets

Enhanced registration of motorcycles and licensing of drivers

New Enforcement InitiativeDDACTS - NHTSA & DOJ

Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic SafetyIntegrates location-based crime and traffic data to

establish effective and efficient methods for deploying law enforcement and other resources.

Uses geomapping to identify areas that have high incidences of crime and crashes.

Uses traffic enforcement strategies that play a dual role in fighting crime and reducing crashes and traffic violations.

DATA DRIVEN APPROCACHES TO CRIME AND TRAFFIC SAFETY

Draws on the deterrent of highly visible traffic enforcement and the knowledge that crime often involves the use of motor vehicles.

Goal of DDACTS is to reduce the incidence of crime, crashes, and traffic violations across the country.

What’s Coming? Intelligent Technology System

Advanced Airbag Systems Electronic Stability Control Seat Belt Reminder Systems Heads Up Displays Transdermal Detector Systems Ocular Measures Collision Avoidance Systems

What’s Coming

Thank you for your support and dedication to highway safety!