Safe System Weekly | February 14, 2025
by Russ Martin
Welcome to this week’s edition and happy Valentine’s Day and President’s Day! As U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) continues to staff up, U.S. Congress is also making moves on highway policy. The safety community is also gearing up for the annual Lifesavers Conference, March 9-11 in Long Beach, CA.?
House T&I Safety Hearing?
On Wednesday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hosted a subcommittee hearing on federal roadway safety programs as part of the development of the new transportation reauthorization bill. Witnesses included representatives from the National Association of Counties, the Governors Highway Safety Association, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.??
Jonathan Morrison Nominated to Be NHTSA Administrator ?
The White House has announced its nomination of Jonathan Morrison to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Mr. Morrison served as Chief Counsel during the first Trump Administration.?
U.S. DOT Continues to Announce New Staff ?
Additional leadership staff will be joining the Office of the Secretary, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.??
Centering Safety at 2025 AASHTO Washington Briefing?
At the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2025 Washington Briefing, State DOT leaders and speakers discussed the national status of roadway safety. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy also outlined his federal transportation policy priorities, including permitting reform, emerging technologies, programmatic cost-savings, and state flexibility. ?
AAA: Most Pedestrian Deaths Happen on Busy Roads at Night ?
A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that the ongoing increase in pedestrian deaths occurs almost exclusively on urban arterials after dark. Other factors include a lack of safe crossing locations, high pedestrian crossing volumes, poorly lit roads without continuous sidewalks, questions over road ownership (state versus local), and policy challenges.?
IIHS: Automakers Make Big Strikes in Front Crash Prevention ?
According to results of new crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, automakers are meeting tougher automatic emergency braking front crash prevention standards.??
More Communities Embracing Automated Enforcement in Work Zones?
As New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposes to make the state’s automated work zone speed program permanent, Washington State is beginning its own work zone effort, along with Colorado.??
Upcoming Capital Region Public Workshop
CS is helping the New York Capitol Region Transportation Council develop a new Safety Action Plan. If you are in the Albany region, join us for a public workshop on Wednesday, February 26.
CS Openings?
Check out current openings to join our team!?
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That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading!?
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