Road safety is a critical issue on the East Coast of the United States, where millions of people rely on the region's extensive network of highways, roads, and bridges for daily travel and commerce. From the bustling cities of the Northeast to the scenic coastal routes of the Southeast, the East Coast is home to some of the country's busiest and most iconic roadways, which also present unique challenges and risks for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.
Current State of Road Safety on the East Coast
According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the East Coast states have some of the highest rates of traffic fatalities in the country. In 2019, the region accounted for nearly a third of all traffic deaths in the United States, with more than 11,000 people killed in crashes on East Coast roads.
The states with the highest number of traffic fatalities on the East Coast in 2019 were:
- Florida (3,193 deaths)
- North Carolina (1,470 deaths)
- Georgia (1,433 deaths)
- Pennsylvania (1,127 deaths)
- New York (966 deaths)
While these numbers are concerning, it's important to note that traffic fatalities on the East Coast have been declining in recent years, thanks in part to efforts by state and local governments, advocacy groups, and individuals to improve road safety. Between 2010 and 2019, the number of traffic deaths on the East Coast decreased by more than 10%, even as vehicle miles traveled increased by nearly 7%.
However, there is still much work to be done to make East Coast roads safer for everyone. In addition to the high number of fatalities, the region also has a significant problem with non-fatal crashes and injuries. In 2019, there were more than 1.3 million traffic crashes on East Coast roads, resulting in nearly 700,000 injuries.
Factors Contributing to Road Safety Issues on the East Coast
Many factors contribute to road safety issues on the East Coast, ranging from driver behavior and vehicle design to infrastructure and policy. Some of the most significant factors include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major problem on East Coast roads, as it is throughout the country. According to NHTSA, distracted driving claimed 3,166 lives in the United States in 2017, and it is estimated that nearly 400,000 people are injured in distracted driving crashes each year.
On the East Coast, distracted driving is particularly prevalent in urban areas, where drivers are more likely to be using their phones or other electronic devices while behind the wheel. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drivers in the Northeast were more likely to engage in distracted driving behaviors than drivers in other parts of the country, with nearly 50% of drivers in the region admitting to reading or sending a text message while driving in the past 30 days.
To combat distracted driving, many East Coast states have implemented laws and public awareness campaigns to discourage the use of electronic devices while driving. For example, New York was one of the first states in the country to ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, and the state has since expanded its law to include texting and other electronic device use. Other states, such as New Jersey and Rhode Island, have implemented similar laws and have seen a reduction in distracted driving crashes and fatalities as a result.
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving, which includes driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances, is another major contributor to road safety issues on the East Coast. According to NHTSA, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 29% of all traffic deaths in the United States in 2018, and the problem is particularly acute in some East Coast states.
In 2018, the states with the highest rates of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities on the East Coast were:
- Rhode Island (41% of all traffic deaths)
- Connecticut (39% of all traffic deaths)
- Massachusetts (33% of all traffic deaths)
- North Carolina (32% of all traffic deaths)
- Delaware (32% of all traffic deaths)
To address impaired driving, East Coast states have implemented a variety of strategies, including sobriety checkpoints, ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders, and public education campaigns. For example, Pennsylvania has a "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign that includes increased law enforcement patrols and media outreach to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Speeding and aggressive driving are also major contributors to road safety issues on the East Coast, particularly in urban areas where traffic congestion and limited space can lead to frustration and risky behavior behind the wheel.
According to NHTSA, speeding was a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities in the United States in 2018, and the problem is particularly acute in some East Coast states.
In 2018, the states with the highest rates of speeding-related fatalities on the East Coast were:
- New Hampshire (38% of all traffic deaths)
- Rhode Island (36% of all traffic deaths)
- Pennsylvania (36% of all traffic deaths)
- Connecticut (34% of all traffic deaths)
- Virginia (33% of all traffic deaths)
To address speeding and aggressive driving, East Coast states have implemented a variety of strategies, including increased law enforcement patrols, speed cameras, and public education campaigns. For example, New York City has a "Vision Zero" initiative that includes a range of measures to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries, including lowering speed limits, redesigning dangerous intersections, and increasing enforcement of traffic laws.
Infrastructure and Road Design
Infrastructure and road design are also important factors in road safety on the East Coast, where many roads and bridges are aging and in need of repair or replacement. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), nearly half of all roads on the East Coast are in poor or mediocre condition, and more than a quarter of the region's bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
Poor road conditions can contribute to crashes and injuries in a variety of ways, from potholes and uneven pavement that can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, to inadequate signage and lighting that can make it difficult for drivers to navigate safely. In addition, many East Coast roads and highways were designed decades ago and may not be able to accommodate the current volume and types of traffic safely.
To address these issues, many East Coast states and cities are investing in infrastructure improvements and road redesign projects to make roads safer for all users. For example, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has a "Complete Streets" program that provides funding and technical assistance to municipalities to design and build roads that are safe and accessible for all modes of transportation, including walking, biking, and public transit.
Efforts to Improve Road Safety on the East Coast
In addition to the specific strategies mentioned above, there are many other efforts underway to improve road safety on the East Coast, involving a wide range of stakeholders from government agencies and advocacy groups to private companies and individual citizens.
Vision Zero Initiatives
One of the most prominent efforts to improve road safety on the East Coast is the Vision Zero movement, which originated in Sweden in the 1990s and has since spread to cities and states around the world. Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all.
On the East Coast, several cities and states have adopted Vision Zero policies and initiatives, including New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., and Virginia. These initiatives typically involve a combination of engineering, enforcement, education, and evaluation strategies to identify and address the root causes of traffic crashes and injuries.
For example, New York City's Vision Zero initiative includes a range of measures such as redesigning dangerous intersections, implementing speed cameras and other automated enforcement tools, and launching public education campaigns to promote safe driving, walking, and biking behaviors. Since the initiative was launched in 2014, traffic fatalities in New York City have decreased by more than 30%, and the city has made significant progress toward its goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2024.
Safe Routes to School Programs
Another important effort to improve road safety on the East Coast is the Safe Routes to School program, which aims to make it safer and easier for children to walk and bike to school. The program, which is funded by the federal government and administered by state and local agencies, provides grants and technical assistance to schools and communities to improve infrastructure, education, and enforcement around schools.
On the East Coast, many states and cities have implemented Safe Routes to School programs, including New Jersey, which has one of the most comprehensive and successful programs in the country. Since the program was launched in 2005, New Jersey has awarded more than $30 million in grants to nearly 400 schools and communities, resulting in the construction of new sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes, as well as the implementation of education and enforcement programs to promote safe walking and biking behaviors among students and parents.
Public Education and Awareness Campaigns
Public education and awareness campaigns are also an important component of efforts to improve road safety on the East Coast, as they can help to change driver behavior and promote safe practices on the road.
On the East Coast, many states and cities have launched public education and awareness campaigns to address specific road safety issues, such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and pedestrian safety. For example, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" campaign each April, which includes a range of activities and events to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage drivers to focus on the road.
Other examples of public education and awareness campaigns on the East Coast include the "Watch for Me CT" campaign in Connecticut, which promotes pedestrian and bicycle safety, and the "Street Smart" campaign in the Washington D.C. area, which focuses on reducing pedestrian and bicycle crashes and fatalities.
Collaboration and Partnership
Finally, collaboration and partnership among stakeholders are critical to improving road safety on the East Coast, as no single agency or organization can address this complex issue alone. On the East Coast, there are many examples of collaborative efforts to improve road safety, involving government agencies, advocacy groups, private companies, and individual citizens.
For example, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) has a "Street Smart" program that brings together local governments, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety in the Washington D.C. region. The program includes public education and awareness campaigns, as well as targeted enforcement and infrastructure improvements in high-crash areas.
Another example of collaboration and partnership on the East Coast is the "Road to Zero" coalition, which is a national effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the United States by 2050. The coalition, which includes more than 900 organizations from across the country, is working to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to improve road safety, including measures such as improving vehicle safety technology, investing in infrastructure improvements, and promoting safe driving behaviors through education and awareness campaigns.
What Individuals Can Do to Improve Road Safety on the East Coast
While government agencies, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders are working to improve road safety on the East Coast, individuals also have an important role to play in making the region's roads safer for everyone. Here are some steps that individuals can take to improve road safety on the East Coast:
Obey Traffic Laws and Practice Safe Driving Behaviors
One of the most important things that individuals can do to improve road safety on the East Coast is to obey traffic laws and practice safe driving behaviors. This includes following posted speed limits, wearing a seatbelt, avoiding distractions while driving, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In addition, individuals can also practice safe driving behaviors such as maintaining a safe following distance, using turn signals when changing lanes or turning, and yielding to pedestrians and bicyclists when appropriate. By modeling safe driving behaviors, individuals can help to create a culture of safety on the road and encourage others to do the same.
Be a Defensive Driver
Another important step that individuals can take to improve road safety on the East Coast is to be a defensive driver. This means being alert and aware of potential hazards on the road, anticipating the actions of other drivers, and being prepared to react quickly and safely in emergencies.
Defensive driving techniques include scanning the road ahead for potential hazards, maintaining a safe following distance, and being prepared to brake or steer to avoid a collision. By practicing defensive driving, individuals can help to reduce the risk of crashes and injuries on the road.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Maintaining your vehicle is also an important step that individuals can take to improve road safety on the East Coast. This includes regular maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections, as well as addressing any safety recalls or defects promptly.
In addition, individuals should also ensure that their vehicle is equipped with appropriate safety features such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control and that these features are functioning properly. By maintaining your vehicle and ensuring that it is safe to operate, individuals can help reduce the risk of crashes and injuries on the road.
Be a Safe Pedestrian and Bicyclist
Finally, individuals can also improve road safety on the East Coast by being safe pedestrians and bicyclists. This includes following traffic laws and signals, using crosswalks and designated bike lanes when available, and wearing reflective clothing or equipment when walking or biking at night.
In addition, pedestrians and bicyclists should also be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to react quickly and safely in emergencies. By practicing safe walking and biking behaviors, individuals can help reduce the risk of crashes and injuries on the road.
Conclusion
Road safety is a critical issue on the East Coast of the United States, where millions of people rely on the region's extensive network of highways, roads, and bridges for daily travel and commerce. While the East Coast has made significant progress in reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries in recent years, there is still much work to be done to make the region's roads safer for everyone.
Improving road safety on the East Coast will require a comprehensive and collaborative approach, involving government agencies, advocacy groups, private companies, and individual citizens. This includes implementing proven strategies such as Vision Zero initiatives, Safe Routes to School programs, and public education and awareness campaigns, as well as investing in infrastructure improvements and promoting safe driving, walking, and biking behaviors.
Ultimately, the goal of improving road safety on the East Coast is to create a culture of safety on the road, where everyone is responsible for their safety and the safety of others. By working together and taking individual and collective action, we can make the East Coast's roads safer, more accessible, and more equitable for all users, and create a transportation system that supports the health, well-being, and prosperity of the region's communities.