FHWA Administrator Kicks Off International Safety Week On Truck and Bus Safety

Topics:  Kenneth R. Wykle

Federal Highway Administration
June 1, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 1, 1999
Contact: Janet Kumer
Tel: (202) 366-0079
David Longo
Tel: (202) 366-0456
FHWA 37-99

Affirming the U.S. Department of Transportation’s commitment to reduce the number of truck-related fatalities by one-half over the next 10 years, Federal Highway Administrator Kenneth Wykle today kicked off the fourth annual International Highway Transportation Safety Week.

"Safety is President Clinton’s highest transportation priority, and this effort underscores his commitment to putting people first," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said.

"Safety is a promise we should make and carry out together," Wykle said at a ceremony at DOT headquarters in Washington, D.C. "Each of us must take personal responsibility for reducing crashes on our highways – government, industry and private citizens alike."

The theme this year continues a practice established by Secretary Slater earlier this year at the DOT-sponsored National Transportation Safety Conference. During the conference, the Secretary launched the "Sign on for Safety" campaign. It is intended to move America’s conversation about transportation safety to the forefront of public awareness. "Sign on for Safety" pledge cards will be distributed throughout the nation at safety events this week requesting all Americans to follow the lead set at the safety conference.

International Highway Transportation Safety Week, June 1-5, is organized by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Both CVSA and AASHTO represent the states and provinces in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The week is dedicated to highlighting highway safety throughout North America. During the week, federal, state and private sector groups join together in sponsoring events to bring safety information to passenger and commercial vehicle drivers. Some of the safety issues highlighted during the week are: sharing the road, driver fatigue and alertness, seat belts, commercial driver health issues, work zone driving safety, running red lights, highway-rail grade crossing safety, child restraints, and pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Wykle was joined at the news conference by Counsellor Terry Wood of the Canadian Embassy, National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Ricardo Martinez, Federal Railroad Deputy Administrator Donald Itzkoff, CVSA Executive Director Steve Campbell, Maryland State Highway Administrator Parker Williams, who also is chair of the AASHTO Highway Subcommittee on Highway Transport, and Julie A. Cirillo, Program Manager FHWA Office of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety.

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