Contact: Jonathan Adkins
(202)789-0942

Washington, D.C.—State Highway Safety Officials from across the country are in Washington this week urging Congress to quickly reauthorize surface transportation programs. Members of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) develop and administer state behavioral highway safety programs that are funded by Congress. GHSA joins members of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and other state partners urging swift Congressional action.

The six-year federal law authorizing federal highway and transit programs—the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century—expired on September 30, 2003. Federal aid to states has been continued through an unprecedented series of short-term extensions. The latest to expire is May 31, 2005.

According to Vince Burgess, GHSA Vice Chair, “It’s extremely critical that Congress quickly renew the transportation programs. It’s been very difficult for GHSA members to adequately implement our safety initiatives with such uncertainty about future funding.” Burgess, who coordinates Virginia’s highway safety program adds, “Congress needs to pass the bill soon so we can continue having a sustained, positive impact on highway fatalities, injuries and crashes.”

GHSA Board Member Don Smith who serves as Alaska’s highway safety chief says that the past year and a half of shortterm extensions have made it difficult to address emerging safety issues in Alaska. “Without knowing how long we will receive federal funding, we can’t address new issues like distracted driving, medically-impaired drivers and intersection safety in Alaska,” Smith says.

GHSA Members are in Washington from March 7th through March 9th. Selected members were able to meet with key members of Congress and their staffs.

Pictured are officials from Alaska, California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio,Oklahoma, Rhode Island,Virginia and the Virgin Islands

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For more information about GHSA's position on the Highway Reauthorization, visit... http://www.ghsa.org/html/media//hottopics/2005/021405.html

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Indian Nation. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at (202) 789-0942 for more information.