The tool kit will vary among jurisdictions depending on basic legal constraints, community attitudes, road system and traffic characteristics, and resources. The Transportation Research Board (TRB) undertook a study to identify the sources of safety improvements in other countries. Researchers do not have a complete understanding of the underlying causes of long-term trends in crashes and fatalities. Differences among countries are in part attributable to factors other than government safety policies. To identify keys to success, the TRB study committee examined specific safety programs for which quantitative evaluations are available and relied on the observations of safety professionals with international experience. The committee's conclusions identify differences between U.S. and international practices that can account for some differences in outcomes. The committee recommendations, which are addressed to elected officials and to government safety administrators, identify actions needed in the United States to emulate the successes that other countries have achieved. The recommendations do not comprehensively address all aspects of traffic safety programs but rather address areas of practice that are highlighted by the international comparisons and for which credible evidence of effectiveness is available."--Pub. desc.

Traffic crashes kill thousands of Americans every year -- in 2005, it was the the leading cause of death among young Americans. To try to improve highway safety, Congress authorized a grant program overseen by the Nat. Hwy. Traffic Safety Admin. (NHTSA). In 2003, it was recommended that NHTSA improve the consistency of its mgmt. reviews, a key aspect of NHTSA¿s oversight. In response to a legislative mandate, this report assessed: (1) how states have used grant funding to address safety goals; (2) NHTSA¿s progress in improving consistency in its mgmt. reviews; (3) the usefulness of its mgmt. review recommendations; and (4) approaches to further improve safety. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

The 21st Century Truck Partnership (21CTP) works to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, increase heavy-duty vehicle safety, and support research, development, and demonstration to initiate commercially viable products and systems. This report is the third in a series of three by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that have reviewed the research and development initiatives carried out by the 21CTP. Review of the 21st Century Truck Partnership, Third Report builds on the Phase 1 and 2 reviews and reports, and also comments on changes and progress since the Phase 2 report was issued in 2012.