Maryland Car Crash Safety and the Maryland State Highway Administration

We have often discussed the role of the federal government in prevention and reduction of car and truck accidents.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provide invaluable information to the public regarding the causes of truck, bus and car crashes. See http://www.maryland-law.com/blog/federal-motor-carrier-safety-administration-what-do-they-do.cfm

Here in Maryland we also have the benefit of a heavily engaged State Highway Administration. The centerpiece of car, truck and bus crash safety, is the "Maryland Strategic Highway Safety Plan" or SHSP for short.

The purpose of the plan is to reduce "highway fatalities on all public streets and highways."

The SHSP was initiated in 1999 and focuses on seven areas each selected to save lives and reduce injury severity.

The seven "emphasis areas" are curbing aggressive and drunk driving, eliminating hazardous locations, increasing driver competency, increasing occupant protection, improving emergency response systems and improving information.

The goals are to reduce annual motor vehicle fatalities to 550 or fewer people per year and to reduce injuries in crashes below 50,000 per year.

The plan can be viewed at this link : http://www.marylandroads.com/Index.aspx?PageId=240&d=69