For state officials in Pennsylvania and across the United States, highway safety is a major personal concern as well as a public policy issue. Car accidents can be the cause of severe personal injuries that can often be fatal. Therefore, cutting down on the number of them can be a matter of high priority. A report issued by the National Governors Association aims to provide guidance and advice to state governors who want to establish more effective systems to help cut the number of dangerous accidents.
Governors can help to reduce car accidents and improve roadway safety by bringing together the array of state agencies with a mandate, including law enforcement, motor vehicle and regulatory agencies. By using their status as governor, they can help to develop coordinated statewide plans of action and information sharing. The report contains a road map that helps to lay out measures taken successfully in various states that have led to a reduction in deaths and injury crashes.
Highway safety is a serious issue across the United States, as statistics show worrying trends especially when compared to other nations, including an upswing in roadway fatalities. In 2016, there were 37,461 lives lost in car accidents on American roads, an increase of 5.6 percent over the previous year. That same year, 39 of the 50 states saw increases in deaths due to auto accidents as well.
Of course, car accidents aren’t only an issue for political leaders. They can lead to catastrophic injuries that require extensive and costly medical care. People who have been harmed by a negligent driver might want to meet with an attorney to see what recourse might be available.