NHTSA’s Federal Perspective What’s Big Now? and What’s Coming? 60 th Annual Missouri Traffic and Safety Conference May 11-13, 2009 – Columbia, MO

2 New Day  This is the beginning of a new day. God has given it to us to use as we will. We can waste it or use for good, but what we do today is important because we are exchanging a day of our life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever leaving in its place something we have traded for it. We want it to be a gain and not loss. We want it to be for good and not evil. We want it to be success not failure.

What’s BIG Now? Highway Safety Good NEWS  1.28 fatality death rate the lowest fatality rate on record down from 1.37 (in 2007)  37,313 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes the lowest in five decades 9.1% lower than last year

What’s BIG Now? Highway Safety Good NEWS  Fatalities fell across the nation 14% in New England 10% in Eastern Seaboard States 7% in Region 7 3.0% decrease in Missouri

What’s BIG Now? Highway Safety Good NEWS  Safety Belt Use Rate increases nationally 83% national seat belt use rate - highest ever 79.8 % Regional seat belt use rate average 76% seat belt use rate in Missouri

What’s BIG Now? Highway Safety Good NEWS  Alcohol-Impaired Driving (2007) 12,998 fatalities involving a driver with a BAC of.08 or higher - a 4% decrease.43 alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate per 100 million VMT – a decrease from.45

What are the “Big Problems” Now?  Impaired Driving 32% of total motor vehicle traffic fatalities involved alcohol impaired drivers year olds - highest percentage of drivers who had BAC levels of.08 or higher 55% of drivers involved in a fatal crash who had been drinking had a BAC of.15 or greater

What are the “Big Problems” Now?  Restraint Use Only 27 states and DC have PBL laws 50% of passenger vehicle fatalities unrestrained 61% of year olds passenger vehicle fatalities unrestrained 60% of year old passenger vehicle fatalities unrestrained

What are the “Big Problems” Now?  Motorcycle Fatalities (2007) 5,100 people died in motorcycle crashes Fatalities have increased 10 years in a row- 125% increase

What are the “Big Problems” Now?  Other Problems Speeding Aggressive Driving Young or Novice Drivers Distracted Driving Drowsy Drivers Older Driver

What’s Coming Contributing to Problems  Population Growth Will grow to more than 323 million  Aging of U.S. Population Ages million to 53 million  Large Number of Younger Drivers 36 million year olds to 43  Congestion More vehicles, more stress, more aggressive driving

What ‘s Coming? Countermeasures That Work  Programs to buckle up high risk driver populations – CIOT for the hard to convince -24/7  High Visibility Enforcement Impaired Driving - more focused  Ignition Interlock laws and programs for first time and repeat offenders

What ‘s Coming? Countermeasures That Work  Increased use of FMVSS compliant helmets  Enhanced registration of motorcycles and licensing of drivers

New Enforcement Initiative DDACTS - NHTSA & DOJ Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety Integrates location-based crime and traffic data to establish effective and efficient methods for deploying law enforcement and other resources. Uses geomapping to identify areas that have high incidences of crime and crashes. Uses traffic enforcement strategies that play a dual role in fighting crime and reducing crashes and traffic violations.

DATA DRIVEN APPROCACHES TO CRIME AND TRAFFIC SAFETY Draws on the deterrent of highly visible traffic enforcement and the knowledge that crime often involves the use of motor vehicles. Goal of DDACTS is to reduce the incidence of crime, crashes, and traffic violations across the country.

What’s Coming? Intelligent Technology System  Advanced Airbag Systems  Electronic Stability Control  Seat Belt Reminder Systems  Heads Up Displays  Transdermal Detector Systems  Ocular Measures  Collision Avoidance Systems

What’s Coming Thank you for your support and dedication to highway safety!