Administration’s Focus on Safety – on Highways, Railways, Seaways and Airways – Has Led to One of the Safest Periods in the Nation’s Transportation History

“Because of our policies and reforms, every American can be more confident than ever they will arrive at their destination safe and sound,” Secretary Mary E. Peters said.

The Department’s approach incorporates proven strategies, innovative technologies and powerful partnerships to create a potent recipe for safe travel, resulting in tremendous progress in reducing transportation-related injuries and fatalities, and promoting safety across all areas of transportation. 

 Dramatically Decreased Fatalities on the Nation’s Roads

Ø      Early estimates show that highway deaths are down nationwide nearly 10 percent from last year.  In 2008, 31,110 people died on the nation’s roads from January through October, compared to 34,502 in 2007 during the same 10-month time period.

Ø      In 2007, the overall number of traffic fatalities on the nation’s highways fell to the lowest number since 1994, and the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled declined to its lowest point in history. 

Ø      Seat belt usage rose to 83% in 2008, the highest rate in history.  The 10% increase in belt usage since 2001 is estimated to have saved 2,700 lives. 

Improved Road Safety

Ø      Issued a rule requiring Electronic Stability Control technology on all new vehicles by 2012, the most important vehicle safety advancement since the seat belt.  This new technology is projected to save up to 10,000 lives per year.

Ø      Instituted a new five-star rating system for child safety seats.

Ø      Announced a comprehensive Rural Road Safety Initiative and Motorcycle Safety plan to focus attention and resources on two of our greatest highway safety challenges.

Ø      Introduced major transportation safety program reforms in the 2005 federal surface transportation legislation, including the creation of strategic highway safety plans, increased dedicated safety-related funding and new flexibilities for state and local governments to allocate federal resources to safety projects that delivered the greatest benefits.

Ø      Since the passage of SAFETEA-LU, states have initiated infrastructure safety projects worth over $2.5 billion. 

Presided Over Safest Era in Aviation History Since the First Flight

Ø      Aviation fatality rates reached a historic low—approximately 2.5 million per 100 million passengers flown between 2003 and 2007.  Since the August 2006 Comair crash in Louisville, Kentucky, the U.S. air carrier system has transported approximately 1.5 billion passengers with no on-board fatalities.

Ø      A new runway status lights program is making it easier for pilots to steer aircraft at the airport, and Airspace Flow programs are not only cutting delays but making it safer to fly during bad weather. 

Ø      To help avoid future tragic incidents such as the July 1996 TWA Flight 800 explosion, the Bush Administration established a rule to significantly reduce the risk of center fuel tank fires on passenger jets.

Significantly Improved Railroad Safety

Ø      As a result of the Department’s National Rail Safety Action Plan, train accidents decreased by 25% from 2005-2007.  In addition, the train accident rate (per million train miles) is the lowest on record and there have been significant decrease in the number of highway-rail grade crossing collisions and fatalities.

Ø      Completed major research into Crash Energy Management technology and issued new regulations to improve the safety of passenger rail cars.

Ø      Working to speed implementation of Positive Train Control by 2015 – a technology that will increase safety by preventing train-to-train collisions.

Ø      Addressing Hours of Service issues to help ensure locomotive engineers and other safety-critical rail employees are alert while on duty.

Working to Ensure Interstate Truck and Bus Companies are Safe and Safely Operated

Ø      Increased the number of roadside safety inspections and onsite compliance reviews to yearly record levels.

Ø      Implemented major interstate commercial truck and bus safety reforms, including strengthening trucker hours-of-service rules, tightening medical requirements and improving commercial driver licensing programs. 

Ø      Increased safety belt usage by truckers by 35% since 2002 and decreased large truck fatality rates by nearly 13% since 2000.