NEWS RELEASE

State Announces 'Target Zero' Highway Safety Plan

Because Even One Traffic Death Is Too Many

April 5, 2007

Olympia, WA — Washington has a new plan to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in traffic collisions. The plan, called Target Zero, has been endorsed by Governor Gregoire and approved by the Federal Highway Administration. Target Zero establishes commonly shared traffic safety goals and priorities for state agencies responsible for safety on Washington roads. It is a big task as every year more than 600 people die and more than 2,900 people encounter serious injuries in traffic collisions in our state.

Target Zero is based on the vision that even one traffic death is too many and that Washington can achieve zero traffic deaths and zero serious injuries by the year 2030.

By prioritizing emphasis areas, Target Zero will guide state investment decisions aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries. It will also provide strategies in a “tool box” format that will help local agencies, Tribes and private organizations in their efforts to make Washington roads safer.

“Washington is a leader in traffic safety—our statewide seat belt law has driven seat belt use to a nationwide high of 96.3 percent,” said Governor Gregoire. “The Target Zero plan identifies ways to continue to improve safety by taking steps to reduce traffic accidents until we reach our goal of zero deaths and zero disabling injuries by 2030.”

Agencies involved with traffic safety will now have common, shared goals allowing them to work in a more coordinated manner. Almost 50 federal, state and local agencies plus tribal Nations and private organizations have been collaboratively developing the plan. Lead Washington agencies included:

• Department of Licensing
• Department of Heath
• Department of Transportation
• Washington State Patrol
• Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Analysis made it clear that agencies should prioritize emphasis areas according to fatality data. The resulting priority order is:

1. Impaired driving and speed-related collisions;
   
   
2. Occupant protection, traffic data systems, run-off-road collisions and intersection collisions;
   
   
3. Distracted and drowsy drivers, young drivers, unlicensed drivers, pedestrian safety, motorcycle safety, commercial vehicle safety, head-on crashes and emergency medical services, and
   
   
4. Older drivers, aggressive drivers, bicycle safety, pupil transportation, vehicle-train crashes, work zone collisions, wildlife collisions and integrated interoperable communications.

To view or download Target Zero click here. (pdf 3.2 mb)