Citation

Fleming S. Am. City Cty. 2004; 119(9): 34-39.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Penton Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

It may be surprising that more people die in rural road accidents than on urban highways, but what is more unsettling is how little money is directed at addressing this problem. Only $330 million of the $27.4 billion in federal-aid highway funds awarded to the states in 2003 can be tracked to rural road safety. This despite the fact that, in 45 states, local jurisdictions own 75% or more of the rural roads. In addition, according to a National Cooperative Highway Research Program study, many of the roads in need of the most safety improvements are under the umbrella of cash-strapped local governments. As a result, although the federal government offers some grants and training, severe pressure is placed on local governments to secure funding to develop cost-effective ways to lower rural road fatality rates. This article discusses these issues in some detail, offers recommendations, and cites examples of programs that have been successful in stretching dollars allocated to rural roads.