WASHINGTON, D.C. – As millions of Americans hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year, the Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety (MARS) Coalition is urging Congress to prioritize roadway safety modernization in the next multi-year surface transportation reauthorization legislation.
“Memorial Day weekend should be about families reconnecting, students coming home, and communities honoring those who served our country,” said MARS Coalition Executive Director Andrew Rogers. “But this weekend also marks the start of the deadliest driving season on America’s roads. As the summer driving season begins, Congress has a clear opportunity to make our roads safer.”
Memorial Day consistently ranks among the most dangerous travel periods on America’s roads. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that traffic fatalities are 16.2 percent higher on Memorial Day than on any other typical Monday in May or June, while fatal crashes involving risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, are nearly 30 percent higher than average.
Earlier this week, MARS sent a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leadership outlining key provisions in the draft surface transportation reauthorization bill that would help transportation agencies move toward a more proactive, preventative approach to safety that leverages proven technologies and identifies risks before crashes occur.
“For decades, America’s roadway safety strategy has focused on studying crashes after they happen, leaving preventable risks to go unaddressed,” Rogers continued. “The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s draft bill offered a pivotal first step toward the paradigm shift we need to prevent crashes before they happen. Now, Congress has a roadmap to modernize our nation’s approach to road safety and deliver safer, smarter roads across America.”
About Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety (MARS) Coalition
Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety (MARS) is a coalition of industry leaders, safety advocates, and technology innovators focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to prevent crashes before they occur. By utilizing telematics, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics, MARS empowers policymakers to implement solutions that curb dangerous driving behaviors, optimize infrastructure design, and save lives.
