To address the dramatic rise in traffic deaths and serious injuries, the USDOT is making an ambitious long-term goal of reaching zero deaths and serious injuries on the Nation’s highways, roads, and streets. In pursuit of this effort, the USDOT established the “Safe Streets and Roads for All” (SS4A) initiative which is a competitive grant program that will provide 5 billion dollars over the next 5 years to improve traffic safety by supporting local communities in the development of safety action plans, and the implementation of projects which reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on the local road network.

Comprehensive Safety Action Plans are strategic initiatives from the SS4A grants that are aimed to enhance the overall safety within a community. They involve a multifaceted approach, including data analysis, infrastructure improvements, public education, and collaboration with various stakeholders to address and mitigate safety risks effectively.

Nationwide, traffic deaths are increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. Comprehensive Safety Action Plans are crucial because they systematically address safety concerns, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities. In Texas, vehicle fatalities remain a critical issue, with the state recording over 3,600 traffic deaths in 2022 alone. The image above displays the crashes by primary contributing factor in San Angelo. From 2018 to 2022, San Angelo had 103 serious crashes and 34 fatal crashes. The contributing factor that had the highest number of crashes and fatalities was failure to control speed. Comprehensive Safety Action Plans aim to create safer roadways, protect lives, and enhance the overall quality of life for its residents through coordinated efforts and targeted interventions.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

Learn more at https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has proved successful across Europe — and now it’s gaining momentum in major American cities.

Learn more at https://VisionZeroNetwork.org

The COSA Safety Action Planning Team is scheduled to finalize the plan for adoption in by the end of 2024.

Public input and engagement is key to a collaborative and equitable Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. Take the survey and/or contribute to the map survey to share your input. Visit us at one of the popup events that we’ll be hosting throughout the summer of 2024. Keep an eye on the Up-Coming Events section of the home page for when and where those will be!

Construction on improvements identified in the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan are not yet programmed for design and construction. The Comprehensive Safety Action Plan sets the stage for the City to apply for construction funding to fix the issues identified by the plan. Identifying what is wrong is step one and then implementing the solutions is step two. The application period for construction grants occurs every year, so once the City’s Comprehensive Safety Action Plan is completed and adopted, the City can immediately start applying for construction grants once those application periods are available.