A STATEWIDE HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM

THE HIGHWAY SAFETY ACT OF 1966 CALLS FOR EACH STATE TO HAVE A HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM STANDARDS PROMULGATED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. THIS HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM WILL ENCOMPASS ALL STATE HIGHWAYS, CITY STREETS, AND COUNTY ROADS WTHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE. IT CALLS FOR A 40 PER CENT EXPENDITURE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WHERE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAFETY FEATURES MUST TRULY OCCUR. GUIDELINES WERE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY BUREAU TO ASSIST STATES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PLANS. THE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA CONSISTS OF IMPLEMENTING THE 16 HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM STANDARDS THROUGH THE GOVERNOR'S POLICIES FOR IMPLEMENTING ACTION. IN THE VEHICLE SUBSYSTEM, THERE ARE 35 NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY DESIGN IN THE MANUFACTURE OF NEW CARS, TRUCKS, AND BUSES AND AN ADDITIONAL 42 RECENTLY PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER FOR COMMENTS OR CRITICISM. IN ADDITION TO SAFETY DESIGN STANDARDS, THERE ARE RULES GOVERNING REGROOVED TIRES, IMPORTATION OF VEHICLES, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION. THE DRIVER AND PEDESTRIAN SUBSYSTEM IS COVERED WITH 5 OF THE 16 HIGHWAY SAFETY STANDARDS BEING DIRECTLY CONCERNED WITH PEOPLE, DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. THE REMAINING 11 STANDARDS CALL FOR STUDY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LIFESAVING FEATURES THAT INDIRECTLY AFFECT PEOPLE. A COMPARISON OF EXISTING STATE ACTIVITIES AGAINST THE STANDARDS WILL QUICKLY SHOW DEFICIENCIES AND POINT OUT IMMEDIATE REMEDIAL ACTION IN ALL FUNCTIONAL AREAS. IMPLEMENTATION AND PLANNING OF THE STATEWIDE HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED. STATISTICS RELATED TO THE NEW VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS ARE ENCOURAGING IN REGARD TO THE USE OF COLLAPSIBLE STEERING POSTS, SAFETY BELTS, THE NEW AIR-BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AND WINDSHIELD DESIGN. DRIVER IMPROVEMENT AND DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE SAFETY EFFORT. IT IS FELT THAT WITH MORE ATTENTION BEING PAID TO THE STATE PLAN AND COMMENSURATE FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUBSIDIZE THESE OPERATIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE THE NATIONAL GOAL OF REDUCING MOTOR VEHICLE FATALITIES.