Highway Safety Projects & Activities

Performance Measures Report CoverTraffic Safety Performance Measures

SHSOs must submit annual Highway Safety Performance Plans (HSPPs) and Annual Reports (ARs) to NHTSA. The most recent HSPPs and ARs are available on NHTSA's website. GHSA and NHTSA have identified a minimum set of performance measures states will use, beginning with their FY 2010 HSPPs and ARs and are developing performance measures in three additional areas: injury measures, statewide citation data, and speeding-related measures.

Highway Safety Plan Performance Measures

The initial set contains 14 measures: 10 core outcome measures, one core behavior measure, and three activity measures. The measures are explained in detail in the report: Traffic Safety Performance Measures for States and Federal Agencies. PDF icon

Attitudes Survey

GHSA and NHTSA have completed work on an additional measure: changes in attitudes. States will conduct an annual attitude survey beginning in FY 2010. The survey contains nine questions on occupant protection, impaired driving and speeding. For more information, download the following files:

Background Materials

Guides & Templates

GHSA has developed guides and templates (listed below) for the HSPPs and ARs that incorporate these performance measures. To use these files, first download this Highway Safety Planning spreadsheet Excel icon. Be sure to enable the macros. The crash data is hypothetical only. States should input their own data; the corresponding charts will update automatically. GHSA recommends that states cut and paste the charts into the appropriate sections of their HSPPs and/or ARs.

These templates were reviewed by the GHSA Executive Board and NHTSA and were adopted by the GHSA membership.


Other Resources for States

  • Management Review (MR) and Deadline Reminder Table
    This table is intended to assist states in: tracking key MR Elements; identifying important deadlines; and identifying best practices related to the Highway Safety Performance Plan, monitoring and grant management. The table is a Word document and can be downloaded and easily modified. Download Reminder Table >> Word doc icon
  • GHSA Policies and Procedures Manual (PPM)
    This Manual is a guide to assist staff in administering the NHTSA traffic safety grant program in compliance with applicable State and Federal laws and regulations. It is intended for use by SHSO personnel, Department of Transportation employees, state and local government officials, and anyone interested in the procedures which are followed by the State Highway Safety Offices. Download Policy Manual >>
  • GHSA Monitoring Advisory
    SHSOs often allocate federal funding to other state agencies, local agencies (including law enforcement) and nonprofits. SHSOs must monitor these grants to ensure that sub-grantees are spending their funds in the manner intended. To enhance the state monitoring processes, GHSA examined state monitoring efforts, identified best practices and published the Monitoring Advisory, which was reviewed by the Executive Board and the NHTSA and adopted by GHSA's membership in September 2006. Download Monitoring Advisory >>

Glass AwardBest Practices


Highway Safety Awards

In conjunction with its Annual Meeting, GHSA recognizes various organizations and individuals for achievements in the field of highway safety. 2009 Highway Safety Awards were presented on Monday, August 31, at GHSA's 2009 Annual Meeting in Savannah.

State Highway Safety Showcases

GHSA showcases State Highway Safety program successes and innovative practices. Below are the four most recent additions. To submit a showcase for your state, just complete the online submission form.

Michigan Logo Genesee County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (F.A.C.T.)
Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning
Michigan Logo Web Conferencing with Grant Financial Officers
Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning
PennDOT Logo Alcohol Highway Safety Program
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Teens in the Driver Seat Logo Teens in the Driver Seat
Texas Department of Transportation

View All Showcases >>


Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is no accident—nor is it a victimless crime. Last year alone, NHTSA estimates that 11,773 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes where the highest blood alcohol concentration was over the legal limit of .08. GHSA is committed to combating this crisis. Below are anti-drunk driving initiatives in which GHSA is involved:

  • Drunk Driving.  Over the limit. Under Arrest.Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

    Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest is a national crackdown event that combines stepped up law enforcement, media campaigns and public awareness to keep drunk drivers off the roads. GHSA Members team up with NHTSA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to step up drunk driving education and enforcement efforts at targeted times throughout the year. 2009 Holiday Crackdown Activities >>

  • CEDD LogoCampaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving

    GHSA has joined MADD and other highway safety groups to support its national Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. The Campaign has four key components: technology, tougher enforcement, stronger laws, and grassroots mobilization. The Campaign's goal is to "completely eliminate drunk driving...making it the public health equivalent of polio. Learn More >>

  • Why 21?Support 21 Coalition

    In response to the ongoing debate about the 21 National Minimum Drinking Age, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has formed a Support 21 Coalition to educate the public about the scientific research behind the underage drinking law and how it saves lives. GHSA strongly supports the 21 Minimum Drinking Age Law. Both research and the hands-on experience of state highway safety agencies indicate that this law has saved countless lives. Visit GHSA's 21 Minimum Drinking Age issue page for more information.

  • Yankelovich Study CoverUnderstanding and Messaging to At Risk Drivers – At Risk Driver Segmentation

    February 2008, TSC/Yankelovich, Inc.
    In a 5-year follow on to the groundbreaking Porter Novelli study (2002) “Prevention of Impaired Driving: Research and Recommendations," Yankelovich, Inc. was commissioned to reassess the most at risk/impaired driver population.

    This report reveals five segments of drivers at risk for drunk driving and provides ways to reach these target segments. This research for GHSA used a web-based survey of 834 individuals. The results may be of interest to states, communities, partners/stakeholders and law enforcement personnel. State highway safety offices should use this report in crafting their strategic communication strategies for reducing impaired driving. Download Report >> PDF icon [1.1 MB, 187 pgs.]


Occupant Protection


Click It or Ticket

Click It or TicketClick It or Ticket is a national campaign to boost seat belt use and reduce highway fatalities.

The 2009 Click It or Ticket mobilization took place May 18 - 31. State and local law enforcement agencies were out in force to make sure citizens are buckling up. The mobilization was augmented by national and state media campaigns and public outreach.
GHSA News Release >>

CPS Law Enforcement Materials

To help police officers provide parents with the most up-to-date child passenger safety information for their state, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is partnering with GHSA to provide some great new resources for State Highway Safety Offices and their law enforcement grantees.
Partners for Child Passenger Safety Logo


Driving Skills for Life LogoTeen Driver Safety


Driving Skills for Life

Driving Skills for Life is a campaign working to build strong national recognition and interest in the growing problem of teen drivers. With multi-year funding from Ford Motor Company Fund, Driving Skills for Life is an innovative skills development program for new teen drivers that addresses the factors most involved in teen crashes. Learn More >>

Teen Driver with KeysNational Teen Driver Safety Week

October 18-24, 2009
In 2007, Congress passed a joint resolution making the third week in October National Teen Driver Safety Week. Its mission is to bring teens, community leaders, educators, and parents together to take action and increase awareness to help prevent teen crashes, the leading cause of death for American teens.

State Highway Safety Offices are very involved in teen driver safety, and many plan activities specific to NTDSW. Others have year-long programs focusing on teen belt use, graduated licensing and underage drinking. GHSA, primarily through its joint effort with Ford's Driving Skills for Life program, is using the week as a vehicle for promoting safe teen driving. 2009 State Activities >>


MMUCC LogoModel Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria

Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) are voluntary guidelines originally developed in response to requests by states interested in improving and standardizing their state crash data. By providing states with a "minimum" set of data elements, MMUCC helps them collect reliable crash data, effectively guide enforcement planning, and shape sound traffic safety policy. The 3rd Edition was released in July 2008. MMUCC Website >>


The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running

The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running is dedicated to reducing the incidence of red light running in the United States and the fatalities and injuries it causes. The Campaign has assembled a team of leaders from the fields of law enforcement, transportation engineering, healthcare and emergency medicine, and traffic safety, to tackle this crucial safety issue. Barbara Harsha, GHSA executive director, serves on the Campaign's Advisory Board. For more information, check out www.stopredlightrunning.com.


Safe Routes to School

The Safe Routes to School helps communities enable and encourage children to walk and bike to school safely. The National Center for Safe Routes to School offers a centralized clearninghouse of information on how to start and sustain a Safe Routes to School program, case studies of successful programs and other training and technical assistance resources. The Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. GHSA is a cosponsor of the Safe Routes to School clearinghouse. Go to www.saferoutesinfo.org to learn more.

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