According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the first nine months of 2021 saw the highest number of traffic fatalities of any year since 2006, with an estimated 31,720 deaths caused by motor vehicle traffic crashes from January to September.
In an effort to reduce traffic fatalities, the Department of Transportation has rolled out a new national strategy to promote better road design, lower speed limits and increase car safety regulations. Under the new federal guidance, states can tap into billions of federal highway dollars for roadway safety programs, including automated traffic enforcement. The Federal Highway Administration says speed cameras can reduce the number of injury crashes by nearly 50%.
“Automated speed enforcement, if deployed equitably and applied appropriately to roads with the greatest risk of harm due to speeding, can provide significant safety benefits and save lives,” according to the Department of Transportation’s safety strategy.
Increased safety regulations can help keep your employees safe on the road while minimizing your liability. Along with the implementation of speed cameras, employees should follow these safe driving practices to reduce traffic crashes:
- Stay focused. Avoid distractions, including adjusting the radio, talking on the phone, and eating or drinking.
- Avoid aggressive driving. Be patient and courteous to other drivers, and don’t take other drivers’ actions personally.
- Plan ahead. Drivers can reduce stress behind the wheel by planning their route ahead of time, allowing plenty of travel time and avoiding crowded roadways and busy driving times.
