(Hartford, CT, (May 2, 2017) The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has identified 6 roadway improvements that could save the most lives and reduce serious injuries - with the least investment - and they are encouraging the President to take note.
These key roadway improvements have the potential to save almost 64,000 lives and prevent more than 350,000 serious injuries over a 20-year period, according to the Foundation report released today.
With the U.S. ranked nearly last among high-income nations in annual traffic fatalities, which continue to rise, AAA urges the Trump Administration to make repairing and maintaining America’s roadways a top priority.
“AAA has done the research. Now we are asking our government to do its part to ensure our highways are safe,” said Amy Parmenter, AAA spokesperson in greater Hartford. “We understand that resources are limited so now more than ever it is important to invest in those improvements that will have the greatest impact”.
With an investment of $146 billion, the report recommends six cost-effective roadway improvements with the greatest potential to reduce both the likelihood and consequences of crashes: (the below improvements account for 95 percent of anticipated crash reduction):
- Convert key intersections into roundabouts (nearly 30 percent)
- Install roadside barriers and clear roadside objects (nearly 20 percent)
- Add sidewalks and signalized pedestrian crossing on majority of roads (nearly 20 percent)
- Install median barriers on divided highways (14 percent)
- Install shoulder and centerline rumble strips (nearly 9 percent)
- Pave and widen shoulders (nearly 3 percent)
Current investments in highway infrastructure improvements in the U.S. are substantially lower than what is necessary to fix the nation’s aging roads and bridges. As in 2013, America received an overall score of D+ from the American Society of Engineers on its
2017 Infrastructure Report Card due to its deteriorating infrastructure. According to the report, one out of every five miles of highway pavement is in poor condition, and after years of decline, traffic fatalities increased by 7% from 2014 to 2015, with 35,092 people dying on America’s roads.
The report also examined the current conditions and challenges of each state’s infrastructure across the country. In Ohio, there are more than 122,000 miles of public roads with 17 percent in poor condition. The report indicates that driving on Ohio roads in need of repair costs $475 per motorist per year. Likewise in Kentucky, there are more than 79,000 miles of public roads with 8 percent in poor condition and driving on Kentucky roads in need of repair costs $331 per motorist per year.
“Fatal traffic deaths increased sharply in the last two years – across the country and here in Connecticut” added Parmenter. “We can save tens of thousands of lives and make our roadways safer by investing in improvements that we already know exist”
The safety benefits and costs of infrastructure improvements data was gathered from the U.S. Road Assessment Program. The program analyzes roadway safety and helps identify infrastructure solutions.
AAA recommends state and local governments take action to:
- Prioritize safer highway design, improve road conditions and eliminate roadside hazards;
- Align highway and street improvements with priority needs; and
- Fund effective, ongoing clean-up of roadway debris/
“While the $146B investment outlined in the report will have a significant national-level impact, increased investment is required at all levels of government to prevent an infrastructure crisis,” concluded Parmenter. “We must invest in infrastructure improvements that not only account for today’s needs, but also prioritize needs for the future, including the potentially lifesaving technology of autonomous vehicles."
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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Connecticut. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.
