Trump’s Transportation Department Launches “Pathways to Safer Streets” Initiative to Keep Americans Safe on Roadways and Reduce Traffic Fatalities

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled its new initiative, Pathways to Safer Streets (P2SS): A National Traffic Safety Action Plan, to reduce traffic fatalities.

NHTSA's P2SS will implement eight strategies to target the leading causes of traffic fatalities: impairment, speeding, distraction, and lack of seat belt use.

"The Trump Administration is launching the most comprehensive traffic safety initiative in NHTSA's history, directly tackling our roadway safety crisis. This starts with rebuilding relationships with our law enforcement partners who were abandoned by the previous administration," said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. "At NHTSA, we're leaning in to support new and enhanced steps to target and reduce bad driving behaviors that lead to serious crashes like speeding and impaired, unbelted, and distracted driving."

P2SS Eight Pathways to Safety:

1. Re-Engaging Law Enforcement: NHTSA is restoring grants, expanding partnerships, and launching new awards to honor "Local Heroes." The agency has restored full support for Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety to deploy high-visibility, targeted law enforcement, and is organizing a law enforcement summit to align federal and local efforts.
2. Combating Impaired Driving: To end the cycle of recidivism, NHTSA is assisting states to create Impaired Driving Tracking Systems and is encouraging expanded use of ignition interlock devices. The agency is also expanding toxicology support to all 50 states and advocating for oral fluid testing devices to help detect the presence of drugs in drivers.
3. Maximizing Occupant Protection: With nearly 50% of occupant fatalities unbelted, NHTSA is promoting the "Rural High Five" program to target low-use areas and pushing for more nighttime belt enforcement. The agency is also partnering with the U.S. Army and Air Force to increase the proper installation of child car seats.
4. Targeting Excessive Speed: NHTSA is prioritizing the "worst of the worst" - those driving excessively fast. The agency is increasing support for heavy fines, jail time, and the exploration of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeat offenders.
5. Eliminating Distracted Driving: With Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy just featured in a new national ad campaign, NHTSA is doubling down on Put the Phone Away or Pay. The agency is currently researching how the availability of mobile telematics data can be used to identify and address trends on distraction, as well as other risky behaviors such as speeding, swerving, and hard braking.
6. Expanding Prehospital Blood Access: Research shows that prehospital blood transfusions decrease mortality for trauma patients with severe bleeding by 37%. NHTSA and USDOT just invested $80 million to expand blood transfusion capabilities. The next round of the USDOT's Safe Streets and Roads for All grants are available for additional funding of prehospital blood programs.
7. National Partnership Network: NHTSA is expanding its reach by engaging with the Department of War, National Park Service, Indian Health Service, and a number of safety organizations to expand the reach of safety messaging, deliver new safety education campaigns to service members, park visitors, and tribal nations, and to encourage strong collaboration with states to improve safety among the driving public.
8. Leveraging State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs): The agency is strengthening support for state highway safety offices by creating tools and resources to support their safety programs including development of the State Program Hub, an AI-powered platform that provides evidence-based recommendations, and providing "data deep dives" to help states maximize the impact of safety grants. NHTSA has also launched the Promising Practices Repository, a centralized collection of innovative programs to help states learn the latest lifesaving ideas from one another.

Learn more about P2SS and relevant grant opportunities here. Administrator Morrison's remarks unveiling P2SS are available here.