FUTURE HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM. PROCEEDINGS OF STRATEGIC HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM AND TRAFFIC SAFETY ON TWO CONTINENTS, GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN, 27-29 SEPTEMBER, 1989

This paper presents information on recent national highway safety activities in the United States. The future of the highway safety program and the direction of highway safety research and development is currently under considerable discussion. A summary of the major activities is provided. Information is also provided on a strategic research study on highway safety jointly sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and being conducted by the Transportation Research Board (TRB). The study focuses on all aspects of the driver, vehicle, and roadway systems which affect highway safety. The emphasis is on topics and areas where federal, state, and local governments are currently spending their limited resources in efforts to improve highway safety. This paper reviews the current status of the TRB study. Accidents data will be reviewed and areas where key research is needed will be identified. The overall highway accident problem will be compared with all accidents and with other national health research programs to add perspective to the tragedy of highway accidents.