In recent years, a movement has grown that aims to achieve a highway system with no fatalities or serious road traffic injuries; this movement is known as Vision Zero. Vision Zero urges communities and policymakers to embrace new methodologies to eliminate roadway injuries and death. The current Massachusetts Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) adopts the Vision Zero principle with its long-range goal of zero traffic fatalities.
Distracted driving is a particular focus area of Vision Zero, as it is a problem that may be solved by technology, including the driver-assist features of new cars on the road today, and the driverless, autonomous vehicles of the future. In 2019, the FRCOG completed a report on distracted driving crashes in Franklin County. The report found that distracted driving was a factor in 105 motor vehicle crashes in Franklin County; it identified the most common sources of driver distractions and makes recommendations to support messaging about the dangers of distracted driving and support infrastructure improvements that will accommodate the adoption of driver-assistance technology and other autonomous vehicle systems, known as self-driving cars.
Distracted Driving Crashes Report FINAL
For further information, please contact Transportation Planning Engineer, Laurie Scarbrough.
