The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and its agencies must have adequate resources, including funds and staff for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, “Agency”), to accomplish their vital safety missions. On average, 112 people were killed every day on roads in the U.S., totaling just over 40,901 fatalities in 2023, the most recent final annual data from NHTSA. This is a 24 percent increase in deaths in just a decade. An additional 2.44 million people were injured. Early estimates for 2024 find a welcome, yet minor, reduction in traffic fatalities to 39,345.iv Nearly 40,000 people killed on our roads is an indisputable reason for significant investments in solutions and the U.S. DOT and its safety agencies.
The Appropriations Committee plays a critical role in our efforts to meaningfully curb traffic deaths and injuries. Providing adequate funding and staff resources to the U.S. DOT and its safety agencies will enable timely implementation of the safety requirements and address the urgent need to advance additional proven and cost-effective solutions to prevent crashes and save lives.
Read the full letter here.