The House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Highways and Transit Subcommittee held a hearing, “America Builds: A Review of Programs to Address Roadway Safety,” to discuss efforts to enhance highway safety through policy and program reviews within the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the ongoing process to reauthorize the nation’s surface transportation programs.
[Above photo by the House T&I Committee]
Held on Feb. 12, the event opened with remarks from Subcommittee Chair David Rouzer (R-NC) and included testimony from several key figures in the traffic and highway safety sector.
They included Wyoming’s Converse County Commissioner James Willox, speaking on behalf of the National Association of Counties; Minnesota Department of Public Safety Director of the Office of Traffic Safety Michael Hanson, representing the Governors Highway Safety Association; Haley Norman, the co-owner of Direct Traffic Control, Inc., speaking on behalf of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA); and Cathy Chase, the president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
Rouzer underscored the critical need to address roadway safety, referencing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s estimate that nearly 41,000 people lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes in 2023. While this marks a slight decrease from the previous year, it represents a significant increase compared to the past decade.
“States and local governments need flexibility to implement programs which address the shortfalls in our rural communities,” he said in his opening statement. “States also need reliable, consistent programming, such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program, which addresses maintenance backlogs and ensures roads meet safety standards.”
Highlighting higher fatality rates in rural areas, Willox underscored the need for better rural road safety and resources, citing limited funding and poor road conditions. He urged streamlining federal permits to accelerate projects and called for a coordinated federal-state-local approach.
“Safety measures in rural areas will look very different from ones used elsewhere in the country,” said Willox. “America’s counties look forward to working hand-in-hand with state and federal leaders to strengthen intergovernmental partnerships in this upcoming surface transportation bill in order to save lives and improve overall safety.”
Hanson warned of rising traffic fatalities, calling for solutions to reduce crashes, curb impaired driving and speeding, and strengthen pedestrian safety and traffic enforcement in his testimony. He called for a balanced strategy integrating infrastructure, technology, and behavioral safety initiatives while urging policymakers to ease regulatory burdens, expand state flexibility, and promote innovation to improve road safety nationwide.
“Addressing the complex challenge of roadway safety demands a multifaceted approach that recognizes the critical interplay between infrastructure improvements, technological advancements, and driver behavior,” he said. “While upgrading roads and implementing new technologies like ADAS [Advanced Driver Assistance System] are vital, they cannot fully address the root causes of many crashes, which stem from unsafe driving practices. Therefore, a balanced strategy that prioritizes behavioral programs, alongside engineering and technology solutions, is essential.”
Norman, who is also ATSSA’s chair-elect, emphasized the urgent need to improve roadway safety and reduce traffic fatalities, calling for increased investment and policy changes.
“Despite the best efforts of ATSSA members, the broader construction industry, state departments of transportation, and the organizations represented by my colleagues on this panel, we continue to see unacceptable numbers of fatalities and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. We can and must do better,” said Norman.
She urged Congress, state and local governments, and industry leaders to collaborate on targeted investments, innovation, and public education to improve road safety and reduce fatalities.
“We are at a critical point in the fight to make our roads safer, and today’s hearing demonstrates that this Subcommittee understands the need to address this issue as part of a new surface transportation authorization bill,” said Norman. “All of us will need to work together to make progress on this collective challenge – including Congress, safety stakeholders, state DOTs, and tribal and local governments.”
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