NHTSA’s “Road to Zero” to Eliminate Traffic Fatalities by 2050

Government officials and consumer groups often team up to raise awareness about public safety issues and empower people to protect themselves and their families. The Road to Zero Coalition,

managed by the National Safety Council (NSC) and supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is an example of such an initiative. Together, these organizations have developed multiple strategies intended to end traffic-related fatalities in the US by 2050. The cornerstone of the plan hinges on NJTSA’s “Three Lanes,” which ideally would result in Zero roadway deaths if each path comes to fruition.

While public awareness campaigns about preventing auto crashes are important, the risk of serious crashes will persist as long as there are negligent motorists on South Florida roadways. It is essential to work with a Miami car accidents attorney to pursue your legal rights, but you might find it useful to review some basic information about the Road to Zero.

Three Paths on the Road to Zero

The NSC and NHTSA have developed a three-pronged approach that would significantly reduce traffic-related deaths

Proactive Vehicle Safety: The traditional approach to car accidents has been mitigating the implications of a crash through pressuring automakers to fix defects and issue recalls on dangerous features. The proactive strategy goes a step further by encouraging auto manufacturers to eliminate collisions by preventing defects from occurring in the first place. NHTSA’s Five-Star Safety Ratings System is developed around companies being proactive in designing, testing, and manufacturing vehicles.

Human Factors: This aspect of the Road to Zero campaign focuses on how motorists make choices and decisions that affect safety. Florida and many other US states make it illegal to engage in certain activities behind the wheel, so the threat of penalties does discourage drivers from putting others at risk. Additional efforts involve spreading the word about such dangers as:

  • Drunk and drugged driving;
  • Not wearing a seatbelt;
  • Texting, talking on the phone, and other cell phone use;
  • Speeding and running red lights; and,
  • Other actions that increase the likelihood of an auto crash.

Highly Automated Vehicles: Decades ago, the most effective automobile safety technologies included seatbelts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes. Today, automakers are moving toward high levels of automation in vehicles, though they are not quite there with full self-driving cars. This component of the Road to Zero encompasses such features as:

  • Lane departure warnings to alter drivers who swerve;
  • Backup cameras;
  • Forward collision avoidance, including alerts and auto-braking; and,
  • Pedestrian detection systems.

In addition, Vehicle-to-Vehicle communications technology is currently in development and shows great promise. This advancement incorporates Wi-Fi technology to allow vehicles to exchange information about position, speed, obstacles, slowing traffic, and many other road-related factors.

Speak to a Miami Car Accident Lawyer for Free

With 2050 well into the distant future and the Road to Zero far from being fully realized, you can be sure that fatal and injury-causing collisions will still be a reality. For more information on your legal remedies as a victim, please contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA to schedule a free consultation at our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, FL.

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