Highway safety officials say new performance measures will aid ‘data-driven approach’

Washington – The Federal Highway Administration has published new safety performance measures aimed at reducing deaths and injuries on the nation’s highways.

FHWA separated the measures into two final rules, both of which were published March 15 in the Federal Register. One final rule establishes specific performance measures for states to track the number of crash-related deaths and injuries, pedestrian and bicyclist deaths and injuries, and deaths and injuries per vehicle miles traveled. The second final rule includes changes in reporting regulations that were required by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act.

The agency has scheduled a webinar at 11:30 a.m. Eastern on April 1 to offer more details and clear up questions about the final rules.

“Together, the rules will enhance a data-driven approach to making safety decisions, improve collaboration across a wide range of safety partners, and provide transparency for the American public,” FHWA Administrator Gregory Nadeau said in a press release. “Most importantly, the rules will help save lives as states set and report on safety targets.”