Over the course of the next three years, the U.S. Department of Transportation will give $1 million per year to support the coalition. This will include grants to organizations that develop new ideas that will help reduce the number of fatal traffic accidents annually. The DOT will also be focusing on the "4E's"; education (prevention specialists, communication professionals, educators and citizen advocacy groups), engineering (highway design, traffic, maintenance, operations and planning professionals), enforcement (state and local law enforcement agencies) and emergency medical services (first responders, paramedics, fire and rescue).  

Long term plans will include automated vehicle technology. Per the U.S. Department of Transportation, 94 percent of accidents are tied to human error including speeding, texting and driving while impaired. The DOT believes the advances in automated vehicles and technology are the key factor in reaching their goal of zero road deaths in 30 years.  

The Road to Zero idea was borrowed from Sweden. In 1997, Sweden introduced "Vision Zero" .  According to the website for Vision Zero, the approach was simple. No loss of life is acceptable.  Since 1997 Sweden has one of the lowest annual rates of road deaths in the world. Several U.S. states have seen impressive results in traffic safety since adopting similar plans. 43% reduction in accidents in Minnesota,  48% in Utah and 40% in Washington just to name a few. 

 

Zero traffic deaths in 30 years may seem like an unrealistic goal. However, with partnerships in place across all states with national organizations, countrywide focus on the "4E's" and vehicle automation it is obtainable. Every effort made to decrease the number of traffic accidents in the U.S. is worthwhile. Let's hope we see this goal met earlier than 30 years.