1.1: THE HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND RISK MANAGEMENT

What is the Highway Transportation System (HTS)?
The highway transportation system is a complex system that enables people and goods to move as safely and efficiently as possible which includes all cars, trucks, streets, highways, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Highway Concept and Design
Engineers plan the route of the highway, construction of bridges, curves, where traffic signs are located, the markings on the road, the tilt to the road, exits and entrance ramps.

There are almost 400 million registered vehicles within the highway transportation system that vary in safety features and in their ability to protect drivers and passengers in case of a collision.

Roadways
There are nearly 8 million miles of roadways that connect New York City to San Diego, California. Some of the roads are well maintained, and taken care of where others have potholes, cracks, and are less maintained.

People
There are more than 400 million drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians that use the highway transportation. Most people drive responsibly when using the roadway, however, some people drive in an unsafe manner.

How is the HTS Regulated?
The local, state and federal government work together to regulate the highway transportation system. The job of state and local police is to enforce speed limits and other traffic laws.

Federal and State Requirements
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires car makers to build certain safety features into their motor vehicles such as shatterproof windows, air bags, and safety belts. This law requires manufacturers to recall vehicle deflects and to fix them correctly.

The National Highway Safety Act requires each state to establish guidelines for state motor vehicle safety programs such as vehicle registration, driver licensing, traffic laws, traffic courts, highway construction and maintenance.

How can you Reduce Risk Within the HTS?
The likelihood of you being involved in a collision, in any given year, is 1 in 5.

The first time that you are involved in a major collision eighty-five percent of the time a traffic fatality will occur.

Involving only one vehicle over 50 percent of vehicle deaths occur.

Understanding and Reducing Risk
Always keep your car in top condition. You will have more control of your car when you’re driving by keeping your car in great condition.

Always anticipate the actions of others. Keep your eyes moving, predict, decide, and execute, always looking for clues as wise drivers always drive defensively.

Take steps to protect yourself and others by wearing safety belts which can save you and your passengers from serious injury or death.

Drive only when you’re in sound mental and physical condition. You need to be 100 percent behind the wheel in order to drive safely.

Always make a conscious effort to develop your driving habits and skills which will help protect you and your passengers from serious injury.

Managing Visibility, Time, and Space
Visibility refers to others seeing you and you seeing others. Reduced visibility means increased risk when you’re driving as you take steps to increase visibility you will reduce risk within the highway transportation system.

Time refers to the ability to judge your speed and the speed of the other vehicle and how long it takes for your car or the other car to stop.

Space refers to distance or a margin of space between your car and the vehicles when driving enabling room to maneuver in dangerous situations.