10/19/2005
State leaders assemble to create plan to move toward zero deaths on Idaho highways
BOISE - Leaders from throughout Idaho joined national experts today at Boise State University to begin creating an agenda for life - a comprehensive statewide strategy for reducing the number of deaths on highways, roads and streets.
Every day, in homes across Idaho, the families and friends of motor vehicle accident victims bear the anguish of needless injuries and loss of life, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said in videotaped opening remarks for the Governor's Highway Safety Summit: Toward Zero Deaths. He was testifying before a House committee in Washington, D.C. on the role of the National Guard and was unable to attend the safety summit.
"More than 200 Idahoans are likely to lose their lives on our highways this year. That is simply unacceptable," the governor added.
Last year, 260 individuals lost their life in Idaho traffic crashes, a decline of more than 11 percent from the pervious year when crashes claimed 293.
"But we can do more. And, that is why I look forward to working with you to help achieve our goal of moving toward zero deaths on Idaho's highways. It is time to act decisively. It is time that highway safety becomes more than just our highest priority - that it becomes our greatest achievement," Kempthorne added.
"How many deaths are acceptable?" Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Chuck Winder asked rhetorically. "What if the death is your spouse or your child?"
He said the transportation board will continue to support legislative changes related to seat belt use, distracted and impaired driving and improving driver behavior.
"The department wants to hear your insights and concerns, " Winder told participants. "We will continue to demonstrate a financial commitment toward improving safety one state, one county, one city and one highway at a time. At this conference, we will talk about the progress we've made and the progress that still needs to be made. "
The morning agenda included:
- A hard-hitting presentation by Brian McLaughlin, associate
administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
who talked about behavioral research as it relates to traffic deaths.
Idaho is on the right track because of its increasing rate of seat belt
use. You have narrowed the gap. But let me be clear. You have to close
the gap. Idaho must approach the national level of seat belt use, he said.
- A review of national safety policies and a challenge by U.S.
Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta to strive for a rate of one
fatality for every million miles traveled, presented by Tony Kane. He
is director of engineering and technical services for the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Kane said
four Es are commonly associated with highway safety: engineering,
education, enforcement and emergency medical services. But he suggested
adding three more elements - effective laws and adjudication, exemplary
leadership and evaluation.
- Initiatives that European countries have implemented to reduce
traffic deaths, by Rich Cunard, engineer of traffic and operations for
the Transportation Research Board. Led by Sweden, European countries
have made highway safety their highest priority. They use aggressive
public relations campaigns, emphasize the use of bicycles and walking,
have strict speed controls, use more sophisticated technology, conduct
frequent road safety audits and involve non-governmental organizations.
- The need for cooperation across jurisdictions to "Develop a
Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan," by Rudy Umbs, traffic safety engineer
for the Federal Highway Administration. A resident of Wisconsin, he
said the number of traffic fatalities in two years would be the
equivalent of a packed Green Bay Packers Lambeau football stadium. The economic impact is
approximately $230 billion per year nationally, or about $800 per
person.
In summarizing the morning presentations, Idaho Transportation Department Director David Ekern challenged participants to define a safety program and bring an investment plan back to the transportation board for consideration.
He reminded the audience not to abandon the mission, but to build on past advances. The zero deaths plan is not the product, he insisted. "We want to build on what we have learned and make it a living effort. This is a process, not a product. "
Following a luncheon presentation by Kathy Swanson, director of the Office of Highway Safety for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, conference participants divided into five working rooms in the BSU Student Union Building to share safety ideas from the grassroots level. The process will continue Thursday, concluding with an afternoon report of the groups' efforts.