How governors can improve traffic safety

Posted in Accident & Injury on March 8, 2018

Highway and traffic safety should be a major concern for drivers in Ohio. Safety conditions in the U.S. are lacking compared to those in other developed nations, and what’s even worse is that traffic fatalities are on the rise. In fact, 2016 saw a 5.6 percent increase over the previous year with the deaths of more than 37,000 road users; 39 states saw an increase in fatalities in that year.

This is where state governors can come in. A report from the National Governors Association provides a “road map” that each state can use according to its needs. The policy development tool can make it easier for governors to lead and coordinate efforts between various state agencies, such as the highway safety offices. It will also allow governors to better identify and strengthen existing efforts at road safety improvement.

The NGA collaborated with the Governors Highway Safety Association in the development of the report. The GHSA has offices in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, which may become key players in reducing traffic deaths. The goal of both organizations is to reduce traffic fatalities to zero in the future.

Even with improved regulations, though, negligent drivers will still abound. Distractions, drowsiness, and alcohol can all lead to collisions that result in catastrophic injuries to their passengers and to occupants of other vehicles. People harmed in such a crash often require lengthy periods of expensive medical care and treatment, during which they are unable to earn a living. As such, victims and their families might want to have a lawyer’s help in seeking appropriate compensation for their losses.