ITE applauds release of NTSB recommendations on speed-related crashes

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has applauded the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for the release of recommendations aimed at reducing speed and speeding-related deaths and injuries on US roads. According to the NTSB, more than 112,000 people died in speeding-related crashes in the United States from 2005 to 2014, averaging more than 10,000 deaths annually. This is on par with the number of drink-driving fatalities during the same period, the NTSB reported, yet receives far less
August 16, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The 5667 Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has applauded the 5628 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for the release of recommendations aimed at reducing speed and speeding-related deaths and injuries on US roads.


According to the NTSB, more than 112,000 people died in speeding-related crashes in the United States from 2005 to 2014, averaging more than 10,000 deaths annually.  This is on par with the number of drink-driving fatalities during the same period, the NTSB reported, yet receives far less attention.

In their recommendations, NTSB calls for a concerted effort to develop and implement a program to increase public awareness of speeding as a national traffic safety issue; modernisation of the traditional practices used to set speed limits to include explicit consideration of factors such as crash experience, pedestrian and bicyclist usage, and roadway and roadside development characteristics;  increased use of automated speed enforcement and updated guidelines on implementing automated speed enforcement systems; and establishing national level programs to incentivize state and local speed management activities.   

ITE president Shawn Leight said reducing speed-related fatalities and serious injuries is an important and complex issue, and road design and operation are key elements in making progress in driving the currently unacceptable numbers down.
 
"ITE looks forward to working with other safety stakeholders, including the 831 Federal Highway Administration, to advance these important NTSB recommendations," said Jeff Paniati, ITE's executive director and chief executive officer.

Related Content

  • October 17, 2016
    Two seconds – the difference between life and death
    Professor Donald Fisher has spent 15 years identifying factors that increase the crash risk of novice and older drivers. His findings highlight the difference between living and dying, Colin Sowman reports.
    Read More
  • October 30, 2015
    New equipment aids clamp-down on drug drivers
    The type-approval of roadside drug testing equipment could bring about fundamental changes to the way police tackle the problem as Colin Sowman finds out. It has been almost 50 years since the first drink-driving laws were introduced but the problem persists: the European Commission estimates that 25% of road fatalities in the EU are the result of alcohol consumption. Statistics from the UK show that 20% of drivers killed in road accidents in 2012 were over the blood alcohol limit for driving.
    Read More
  • February 19, 2016
    Stronger economy ‘likely to be a factor’ in increase in US motor vehicle deaths
    Preliminary estimates from the US National Safety Council indicate motor vehicle deaths were eight per cent higher in 2015 than they were in 2014, the largest year-over-year percentage increase in 50 years. The National Safety Council estimates 38,300 people were killed on US roads and 4.4 million were seriously injured, meaning 2015 likely was the deadliest driving year since 2008. Over the last year at the state level, the National Safety Council estimates Oregon, Georgia. Florida and South Carolina al
    Read More
  • July 13, 2012
    Lenient sentences for dangerous drivers in the UK criticised
    The average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving in the UK is just four years – 62 per cent shorter than for manslaughter, according to road safety charity the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). While the average sentence length of manslaughter is 6.6 years, those sentenced to prison for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving are given an average sentence of 1.3 years. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs has an average sentence of 4.3 years
    Read More

Highlighted Content