Groups form State Highway Safety Alliance

U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Mo.) joined officials of five groups as they announced the formation of the State Highway Safety Alliance to seek highway safety improvements in upcoming legislation.

"Without question, safety is the No. 1 issue to consider when we discuss transportation," said Bond.

Tony Kane, director of engineering for the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) said the alliance was formed when its member groups, including AASHTO, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Governors Highway Safety Association and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, became aware their separate safety policy proposals for this year's reauthorization of the federal surface transportation act shared many areas of agreement.

"This much agreement on one major area within the reauthorization, coming this early in the process, is unprecedented and certainly worth building on," said Kane, whose group represents state transportation departments. "But we all agree that the overall transportation program must grow in funding to achieve the safety improvements we all support."