Reducing Road Deaths by One Third by 2030: Proposing Speed Limit Reductions, Increased Enforcement, and Better Infrastructure by IIHS
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) have announced a new initiative, 30x30, with the aim of reducing U.S. traffic deaths by 30% by the year 2030. The initiative's focus is on a comprehensive approach that addresses excessive speeding, risky driver behaviors, and the implementation of proven safety policies, among other factors.
At the helm of this initiative is David Harkey, the President of IIHS and HLDI. He believes that collaboration among policymakers, law enforcement, vehicle manufacturers, engineers, and public safety officials is essential to achieving this ambitious goal.
The 30x30 initiative positions itself as a crucial step towards the long-term goal of eliminating traffic fatalities entirely. It is based on research that suggests measures such as universal seat belt use, a national speed limit of 65 mph, a lower legal blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.05%, and expanding red-light camera enforcement could prevent thousands of additional deaths.
Moreover, IIHS-HLDI is advocating for infrastructure improvements and focusing its efforts on reducing risky driving behaviors. They are conducting research on vehicle design to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, and enhancing commercial vehicle safety is a priority.
The initiative also calls for a multi-pronged approach that combines behavioral research, infrastructure improvements, and advances in vehicle safety technology to comprehensively address the factors leading to crashes. This approach involves public engagement, data analysis to identify effective interventions, and advocacy for evidence-based policies at both the federal and state levels.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the fact that in 2022, 42,514 lives were lost on U.S. roads, a nearly 30% rise since 2014. Harkey has criticized the effectiveness of Vision Zero, a policy aimed at eliminating road deaths, in the U.S. context.
The 30x30 initiative learns from successful international examples, notably Canada, where traffic fatality rates have continued to decline due to effective policies. The initiative emphasizes slowing down drivers, which is a major factor in over a quarter of crash deaths annually, through policy, infrastructure, and technological interventions.
In conclusion, the 30x30 initiative is a collaborative effort that combines research-driven strategies, public engagement, and policy advocacy to reach a 30% reduction in traffic fatalities in the U.S. by 2030. This initiative offers a promising approach to addressing the rising U.S. traffic fatalities and moving towards a future with safer roads.
[1] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). (n.d.). 30x30 Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.iihs.org/topics/30x30 [2] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). (2022). Traffic Safety Facts - 2020 Data: Overview. Retrieved from https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813323 [3] National Safety Council. (2023). Road Deaths in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatalities [4] U.S. Department of Transportation. (2021). Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Retrieved from https://www.transportation.gov/safety/strategic-highway-safety-plan [5] Governors Highway Safety Association. (2022). 2022 State Highway Safety Plans. Retrieved from https://www.ghsa.org/state-highway-safety-plans
- The 30x30 initiative, spearheaded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), aims to enlist collaboration from policymakers, law enforcement, vehicle manufacturers, engineers, and public safety officials to reduce U.S. traffic deaths by 30% by 2030.
- To achieve this goal, the initiative focuses on measures like universal seat belt use, a national speed limit of 65 mph, a lower legal blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.05%, and expanding red-light camera enforcement, among others, based on research findings.
- The financing and implementation of this comprehensive strategy will be facilitated by advocacy for evidence-based policies at both the federal and state levels, relying on public engagement, data analysis, and infrastructure improvements, as well as advances in vehicle safety technology.
