Transportation industry aims for zero deaths

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recently launched its Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) initiative.

TZD will provide countermeasures for businesses and individuals in each state to reduce deaths on U.S. roadways from over 33,000 a year to zero.

“The philosophy behind Toward Zero Deaths is until our roads are absolutely free of fatalities, our work is not finished,” AASHTO Executive Director Bud Wright said. “Our aim is that the united effort of these organizations will reduce highway fatalities at a much faster rate.”

Already, 40 states have zero-traffic death initiatives in place, but according to TZD, there needs to be a nationwide program that works to coordinate activities outlined in the National Strategy on Highway Safety.

The Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have provided technical support to the TZD efforts. For more information about TZD's National Strategy on Highway Safety, visit TowardZeroDeaths.org.