In Florida and across the United States, roadway safety is both a significant issue for drivers as well as a major public policy concern. Car accidents can be the cause of major property damage, severe personal injuries and even fatalities. A report by the National Governors Association aims to provide advice to state governors about action steps that can help reduce the risk of car accidents, injury crashes and roadway fatalities in their states. In particular, the report emphasizes the role of governors in coordinating statewide efforts to improve safety.
There are frequently a wide array of agencies and state departments that share tasks related to safety on the state’s highways. For example, law enforcement agencies, regulatory departments and public health systems often collaborate. When a governor is strongly committed to road safety issues, he or she can play a major role in developing a coordinated statewide plan for highway safety. The NGA report set a goal for state action to achieve zero roadway fatalities.
There has been an increase in roadway risks in recent years, and road safety is a major concern throughout the country. In 2016, there were 37,461 American lives lost on the roads due to car accidents. This reflected an increase of 5.6 percent over the prior year. The increase was reflected nationwide as 39 states reported an upswing in deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents.
While highway safety is a major concern to the public at large, car accidents can also be individually devastating. People who have been injured due to another driver’s dangerous or negligent actions on the road can work with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer can help an accident victim seek compensation for damages caused by a car crash.
