Washington, DC -- The following is the opening statement of U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), Highways and Transit Subcommittee Ranking Member, from today’s hearing on assessing the effectiveness of the National Highway Traffics Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) safety programs.
“Thank you, Chairman DeFazio, for holding this hearing to assess our traffic safety programs. I would also like to thank all of our witnesses for attending this hearing.
“In particular, I would like to thank Patrick James for traveling from Knoxville, Tennessee to testify before us today.
“Mr. James lost his daughter, Alexis ‘Lexie’ James, in a 15-passenger van accident last July. Since this tragedy, Mr. James has worked tirelessly to raise public awareness and to improve the safe operation of these vans. Mr. James is here today to testify about these efforts. In fact, his work thus far has led to Congress passing a resolution recognizing the need for greater awareness of this safety issue.
“The safety of our nation’s highways is a major concern for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“In 2006, 42,642 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes. That translates to an average of 117 people per day or one person every 12 minutes. More people are killed on our nation’s highways every three months or so than have been killed in all U.S. aviation accidents combined since the Wright Brothers’ flight in 1903. Behind all these lives lost on our highways are devastated families and individuals. In addition, traffic crashes cost the nation an estimated $230 billion annually.
“While there has been some progress in reducing these numbers – the 2006 number decreased two percent from 2005 – traffic fatalities and injuries remain a major public health problem in this country. As we move forward on reauthorizing the highway safety programs, we will face the challenge of reducing these numbers further.
“This challenge is further complicated by changes in the causes of fatal accidents as well as changes in the demographics of the motoring public. For example, we must be prepared for the ‘graying of America.’ As our population grows in size, the average age of our citizens is also increasing.
“In 50 years, the percentage of the population over 65 will almost double, from 12 percent to 21 percent. That is something we should take into consideration. We need to have programs in place that help meet these challenges by keeping older drivers at the wheel safely. Although our older drivers tend to be among the safest drivers, when they are involved in an accident, the likelihood of a fatality is greater.
“Our witnesses will address the issues facing the highway safety programs. I look forward to hearing their perspectives.”
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