Idaho’s model safety plan gains fans and an update

Idaho’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) has acquired some new fans since its last update a few years ago. Foremost among those converts is the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which promotes the Gem State’s SHSP process as a model for other states to follow. (View video)

“So much of what you do has ended up in our publications and on our web site,” said Jennifer Warren, an FHWA representative. “Your efforts are involved in much of what we do in D.C.”

Warren was a featured speaker during the state’s SHSP workshop last month in Boise. She works as an FHWA Driver Safety Programs manager who helps state offices throughout the nation with developing and implementing strategic highway safety plans.

“Idaho, and states like you, make us look good,” she explained. “You are on your third update while other states are operating from their original edition that was produced several years ago.”

She told the more than 100 people gathered to participate in the update that Idaho has contributed much to FHWA’s peer exchanges as both a host and peer, and provided many noteworthy practices. The state also was recognized as one of 10 pilot states tabbed to provide feedback about implementing the SHSP process model.

“Every update is an opportunity to strengthen an SHSP,” she said. Current FHWA highway safety planning efforts emphasize guidance, encourage noteworthy practices and peer exchanges, and require meaningful evaluation.

“Idaho is on the right track,” she said. “You’re meeting the requirements. But Idaho always goes above and beyond.”

Besides ITD, FHWA and other state agencies, workshop participants represented municipalities, law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, driver education programs, the Idaho Hospital Association, businesses, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and other interested organizations.

Specific highway safety issues tackled by workshop participants in focus-group settings were: commercial motor vehicles, impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, lane departure, motorcycle, youthful drivers, safety restraints, emergency rResponse, intersection crashes, vulnerable users – mature drivers and vulnerable users – bike/pedestrian.

Each group was charged with brainstorming specific solutions to its assigned emphasis. No constraints or budget worries were considered at the time. Later, the groups refined their visions to develop strategies that will form the basis for Idaho’s SHSP update.

"The Idaho SHSP is a living document that is created in collaboration with more than 100 highway safety partners that represent the communities of highway engineering, enforcement, education and emergency response,” explained Highway Safety Manager Brent Jennings. “This plan allows us to see where we have been, where we are going and it provides the accountable means to stay on course toward zero deaths."

Idaho’s data-driven, comprehensive SHSP supports ITD’s strategic goal of providing the safest transportation system possible and provides a comprehensive framework for eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on public roads.

ITD’s collaborative planning process has received national recognition and is often referred to for other states planning safety initiatives.

Updates to the SHSP will be published in early 2013.

 


Photos: The Impaired Driving emphasis group brainstorms solutions for eliminating DUI-related highway deaths (top). SHSP luncheon speaker Jennifer Warren, with FHWA, talked about how Idaho has become a model for other states in revising their safety plans (above left). Stacey “Ax” Axmaker, Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety Program director, was recognized by the SHSP group for his organization’s 2012 Outstanding State Award from the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators. The award recognizes a state’s comprehensive motorcycle safety program that has “implemented strategies that are successful, effective and can be measured, evaluated, and serve best practices (middle right).” ITD Research Analyst Steve Rich (bottom left photo) and Officer Kyle Wills (bottom right), with the Boise Police Department, received special recognition during the SHSP update workshop.

Published 12-14-2012