Contact: Shane Austin
[email protected]
202.425.2776
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), on Potential Dangerous Cuts to Roadway Safety Agencies
(Washington, D.C. |February 26, 2025) The Trump Administration released a memo sent to heads of government agencies directing them to submit reorganization plans by March 13 aimed at a “reduction in force” of federal workers. At a time when our Nation is experiencing historic high motor vehicle crash fatalities and injuries, reductions to personnel or budget for agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will be detrimental to their mission to improve safety on our Nation’s roadways. If realized, the traveling public will pay with their lives and their wallets.
According to NHTSA, 42,514 people were killed and 2.38 million were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2022. There have been major increases in fatalities of vulnerable road users (VRU) in the past decade. The 7,522 pedestrians and 1,105 bicyclists who died in 2022, represent a 56 percent and 50 percent increase respectively in the past decade. Similarly, motorcycle riders experienced the highest fatality total (6,218) in a single year since data collection began in 1975. The number of fatalities in large truck crashes also have seen a staggering increase of 76 percent since 2009, while the number of people injured rose by 117 percent between 2009 and 2022.
In addition to the emotional and physical toll, crashes cost the U.S. economy nearly $1.4 trillion in total societal harm in 2019, including $340 billion in direct economic costs. When adjusted for inflation alone, these totals are $1.77 trillion and $429 billion in 2025, respectively.
America’s roads move an ever-increasing number of people and goods. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) reports “these vital lifelines are frequently underfunded, and over 40% of the system is now in poor or mediocre condition.” In their 2021 Report Card, roads received a grade of “D,” with 43 percent in poor or mediocre condition. Bridges received a “C,” with 42 percent being at least 50 years old and more than 46,000 considered structurally deficient. Moreover, our deteriorating roads are forcing the Nation’s motorists to spend nearly $130 billion each year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs.
DOT’s safety agencies play a crucial role in addressing these major and expensive public health and infrastructure problems. For example, NHTSA issues Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for new motor vehicles and equipment. Between 1968 and 2019, FMVSS saved 865,706 lives and prevented over 49 million injuries. During that same period, comprehensive societal benefits of FMVSS totaled $17.3 trillion. It is worth to noting that 95 percent of transportation-related fatalities involve motor vehicles, and even before potential impending cuts, NHTSA historically has received only one percent of the overall U.S. DOT budget.
FMCSA’s primary mission is to prevent fatalities and injuries caused by commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes. Among many tasks, the agency harnesses safety information systems to focus on higher risk carriers in enforcing the safety regulations. The FHWA is responsible for ensuring that America’s roads and highways are safe and technologically sound. Among many responsibilities, FHWA conducts research and provides technical assistance to state and local agencies to improve safety and mobility, and to encourage innovation. Without adequate staffing and financial resources, further progress by these agencies to reduce fatalities and injuries and related costs will be at risk.
During his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pledged to prioritize road safety to protect the public from preventable crashes like his own family tragically experienced. Cutbacks in force at DOT will imperil the fulfillment of this vital promise. We urge the Administration to prioritize the safety of all road users and retain needed resources for these transportation safety agencies.
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Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.