ATSSA Official Offers Insight Into Highway Safety Improvement

(Photo Courtesy of ATSSA)

ATSSA Pushes for Highway Safety Investments: How It Affects Trucking

Congress is preparing the next surface transportation authorization bill. The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) is urging lawmakers to invest in roadway safety. ATSSA Chair-Elect Haley Norman testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways & Transit. She stressed the need to reduce roadway fatalities, improve work zone safety, and secure long-term funding for infrastructure projects.

Norman’s testimony is important for the trucking industry. Truck drivers rely on safe and well-maintained highways. High accident rates and funding uncertainties could impact their daily operations.

ATSSA: Highway Fatalities Remain a Major Concern

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an estimated 40,900 roadway deaths in 2023. That means an average of 112 people died every day. Norman emphasized that human mistakes contribute to many crashes. However, she argued that better safety infrastructure could prevent many of these deaths.

For truck drivers, this is a serious issue. Long hours on the road increase their exposure to hazards. Unsafe road conditions and reckless drivers make their jobs even riskier. ATSSA is pushing for stronger infrastructure investments. If approved, these improvements could make highways safer and reduce the number of fatal accidents.

Work Zone Safety: A Growing Concern for Trucking

Norman also raised concerns about work zone safety. Over the last five years, an average of 115 roadway workers died each year in work zones.

Work zones are a major challenge for truckers. Lane reductions, sudden speed changes, and shifting traffic patterns create dangerous conditions. Norman urged Congress to focus on work zone safety in the new highway bill. She suggested better training programs, new safety technology, and improved best practices.

Rep. Robert P. Bresnahan Jr. asked about truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs). These devices absorb impact in work zones. Norman responded that they have proven to be effective. “Every single time the attenuator truck has done what it was supposed to do,” she said. “Both the driver that impacted the vehicle and our driver who was driving that impact attenuator walked away from the accident with no injuries.”

More TMAs and improved work zone procedures could help prevent injuries and fatalities. Truck drivers would benefit from fewer crashes in these high-risk areas.

Rural and Tribal Road Safety are Key Issues for Freight Hauling

Rural roads have higher fatality rates than urban areas. According to Norman, only 20% of Americans live in rural areas, yet 43% of roadway deaths happen there. In Oklahoma, 59% of traffic deaths occur on rural roads.

For truck drivers, this is a serious concern. Many freight routes pass through isolated areas with poor road conditions. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funded projects to improve rural road safety. These projects added rumble strips and upgraded pavement markings. ATSSA wants to continue these investments.

Norman also discussed the dangers on tribal roads. She pointed out that Native American and Alaska Native children and adults have much higher crash death rates than other groups. Many trucking routes pass through tribal lands. Safer roads in these areas would help local communities and truckers alike.

Uncertainty Over Highway Trust Fund and Trucking’s Role

The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) faces major funding challenges. It has not generated enough revenue to cover road projects for years. Since 2005, the fund has needed money from the U.S. Treasury to stay afloat.

Truckers should pay close attention to this issue. Without reliable funding, road maintenance and upgrades could be delayed. ATSSA is calling for a long-term funding solution. Norman suggested new revenue sources like vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees. She also emphasized that electric vehicle owners should contribute their fair share.

Challenges in Material Supply and Rising Costs

The Buy America, Build America Act (BABA) has caused disruptions in highway projects. The act requires materials for federally funded projects to be American-made. While supporting U.S. manufacturing, Norman warned that sudden changes have hurt supply chains.

For truckers, this could mean longer construction delays. ATSSA expressed disappointment over the January 2025 ruling that removed a long-standing waiver for some manufactured products. If materials remain difficult to obtain, roadwork may take longer to complete.

Rising costs are also a problem. Between October 2020 and June 2024, highway construction costs increased by 70%. Higher infrastructure costs could lead to increased tolls, fuel taxes, and other fees. These costs may eventually impact trucking companies and owner-operators.

The Impact on Trucking’s Future

Norman’s testimony made it clear that the next transportation bill will be crucial. The trucking industry has a lot at stake. Work zone safety, rural road improvements, and funding stability all affect freight movement.

If Congress prioritizes safety investments, truckers could see fewer crashes and better road conditions. However, unresolved funding issues and supply chain problems could create new challenges.

ATSSA is working to ensure that safety measures and highway improvements remain a priority. Norman summed it up best in her testimony. “We must all work together to make our roads and communities safe.”

Truck drivers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers will need to watch closely as Congress moves forward. The decisions made in this bill could shape the future of the nation’s highways for years to come.

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