September 22, 2020 | Washington, DC
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced new steps to address the unique traffic safety conditions during the national public health emergency that began last spring, including emptier roads, faster speeds, and increased driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Working with modal partners within the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as researchers, traffic safety advocates, state and local transportation officials, and law enforcement, NHTSA will host a series of workshops to discuss emerging trends and develop effective countermeasures.
NHTSA will host a webinar to provide an overview of these issues on October 1 at 1:00 pm. Click here to register. Four additional virtual workshops with stakeholders will take place during October.
“NHTSA continues to gather facts about reports of increased risky driving behavior on our nation’s roads since the beginning of the national health emergency,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens. “We’re committed to working with our stakeholders, especially state and local traffic safety officials and law enforcement, to increase education and enforcement to prioritize roadway safety during the pandemic.”
The Department continues to invest considerable resources to address transportation safety challenges during the national public health emergency. Over the summer, NHTSA launched a new ad and social media campaign to remind motorists to drive safely and follow traffic safety laws under unfamiliar road conditions. The agency’s high-visibility enforcement campaign to combat impaired driving ran through the Labor Day weekend and will be repeated later this year. NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens highlighted the issue in a May op-ed.