File photo/Courtesy of ADOT
The public is invited to review the draft and provide comments by September 6.
Guest article/Courtesy of ADOT
ARIZONA – The Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on a proposed update to its Strategic Traffic Safety Plan and a draft of the state's first Active Traffic Safety Action Plan, which aims to reduce fatal crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists at intersections with the state highway system.
Both proposals can be viewed at azdot.gov/SafetyPlan. Comments are welcome through Friday, September 6.
Federal regulations require each state to have a strategic traffic safety plan to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on public roads and to update it every five years. ADOT leads the development of this plan in collaboration with local, state, federal and other stakeholders so that all traffic safety programs can leverage resources and work together effectively to improve safety.
The proposed SHSP update was developed after a series of public meetings and receipt of public input earlier this year. A summary of the hearings can be found in the Public Participation Summary. The plan focuses on the following focus areas that account for a large percentage of life-altering crashes in Arizona: human behavior, intersections, lane changes, vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists, and incidents on tribal lands.
ADOT and its partners are proposing dozens of strategies based on public and stakeholder input, data analysis, and previously completed research and planning work. These include:
- Improving the visibility of vulnerable road users, all other users and road features;
- to involve vulnerable road users more in the planning, design and programming process;
- Reducing risky driving by drivers;
- Carrying out clearly visible checks at intersections; and
- Promoting safety at accident scenes.
The proposed update is based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe System Approach, which takes into account all safety-related factors and emphasizes shared responsibility for improving safety on the roads.
ADOT and its partners are also developing Arizona's first Active Traffic Safety Action Plan to address the rise in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Arizona, the vast majority of which occur on local roadways. This proposal recommends site-specific projects along the state highway system aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
You can also comment on both proposals by Friday 6 September in the following ways:
For more information, visit azdot.gov/SafetyPlan.
