U.S. Department of Transportation Launches Summit on Pedestrian Safety – Virtual Series |
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Federal Highway Administration
8 July 2020
FHWA 13-20
Contact: Neil Gaffney
Tel.: (202) 366-0660
WASHINGTON – Safety advocates will join federal and state transportation agencies today when the U.S. Department of Transportation launches a virtual safety summit with the first of three webinars to discuss ways to reduce pedestrian fatalities on the nation’s roadways.
“This virtual summit will share important information on how everyone can work together to reduce pedestrian fatalities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that, in 2018, 6,283 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, the highest since 1990 and 53 percent more than in 2009. Seventeen percent of all traffic fatalities in 2018 were pedestrians. Positive news can be found in the newest 2019 preliminary data indicating that pedestrian fatalities are trending down with a projected decrease of 2 percent last year.
“Pedestrians are our most vulnerable road users and reducing pedestrian fatalities is a team effort that requires collaboration between federal, state and local transportation leaders,” said Federal Highway Administrator Nicole R. Nason.
“Stakeholder collaboration and public education are key to protecting pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Together, we can pioneer solutions to save lives and reduce injuries,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens.
The “USDOT Summit on Pedestrian Safety – Virtual Series” will provide participants with a forum to discuss the challenges surrounding this issue and identify joint solutions to improve pedestrian safety, and will include remarks from Secretary Chao, Federal Highway Administrator Nason, Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Mala K. Parker, NHTSA Deputy Administrator Owens, and guest speakers from leading transportation safety organizations.
The first webinar, slated for today from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. E.T., will focus on the current state of pedestrian safety, provide attendees with an overview of current and planned USDOT actions to enhance pedestrian safety and share a glimpse of the 2019 preliminary safety data release. Today’s webinar will also include a discussion on the “Safe System” approach that takes actions by all road users into account and incorporates features that minimize the chances of fatal crashes and serious injuries. The Department will hold a second webinar on July 15, 2020, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. E.T. to share information on the “when, where, who and how” related to the most high-risk pedestrian safety issues, including in work zones. On July 28, 2020, the third and final webinar in the series will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. E.T. and focus on the planned efforts of the USDOT and leading safety stakeholders to address pedestrian safety, including a discussion of next steps for the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. Each webinar will be recorded and available following the Summit.
A “Pedestrian Safety Virtual Booth” with videos, publications and web resources will be provided as part of the webinar series and is available online at https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/pedestrian_safety_virtual_booth/FHWA-SA-20-054.pdf.
More information regarding the “USDOT Summit on Pedestrian Safety – Virtual Series” can be found at http://www.pedestriansafetysummit.com/.