USDOT launches roadway safety call to action campaign

The U.S. DOT's Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy on Friday launched a Call to Action campaign, asking for specific actions in 2023 to reduce serious injuries and deaths on roadways, which have reached crisis levels, according to the department.

The call is open for organizations in the private and public sectors, advocacy and community groups, researchers, and beyond to step forward and commit to action here.

"Traffic crashes cost tens of thousands of American lives a year — a national crisis on our roadways — nd everyone has an important role to play in addressing it,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Today we are issuing a national call to action and asking all Americans — including private industry, non-profit and advocacy organizations, and every level of government — to join us in acting to save lives on our roadways.”  

The Department also announced this week 510 grants totaling more than $800 million as part of the new Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

These grants will help cities, counties, Tribes and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) create plans and to implement measures that prevent deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. Over half of the nation’s population live in places awarded funds that will be used to improve safety planning in their communities. The Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY 2023 round of grants is expected to open this spring.