SHSP news, Vol. 1, no. 2 (Dec. 2007)

VERY LIFE COUNTS
DUCATION NGINEERING NFORCEMENT MERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE STRATEGIC HIGHWAY SAFETY PLAN (SHSP)

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SHSP NEWS DEC 2007

GOVERNOR PERDUE APPROVES 2007 GA SHSP

Governor Sonny Perdue provided essential input and consideration to approve

the 2007 Georgia Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Governor Perdue writes; "We

must join in the SHSP vision "Every Life Counts" as we continue to improve our

efforts to make our roads safer." The Safety Program Leadership recommended

the implementation of the updated 2007 Georgia SHSP during the September

2007 quarterly meeting. The 2007 GA SHSP is a continuation of the Federal

Highway Administration approved planning processes. The 2007 GA SHSP

plan updates the safety area Task Team efforts to implement detailed action

plans in early 2008. Task Team plans include data analysis of lifesaving goals to

FATALITIES Dec. 31

2006

2007

drive down crashes, injuries and fatalities. The updated goals provide quantitative analysis of effective lifesaving countermeasures. For example, increasing safety belt use 3.7 % in all passenger vehicles could save as many as 101 lives

1,594

1,545

annually. This single achievement significantly contributes to Georgia's crash

"Every Life Counts" is a

fatality goal to save 511 annually by 2010.

publication of the Governor's Strategic Highway

The 2007 SHSP is available online at www.gahighwaysafety.org/shsp/

Safety Plan (SHSP). Other

medians may be viewed at :
www.gahighwaysafety.org/ "SPEED" PROGRAMS SWEEP THE U.S.
shsp

Inside "Every Life Counts..."
GA Driver's Education Connect Atlanta Plan Linnenkohl retires
Abraham top DOT post
Submit comments/ questions/articles to:
Randy Clayton Operations Manager rclayton@gohs.ga.gov 404-651-8503

The U. S. Department of Transportation has launched "speed management" programs across the country. Georgia is participating in and organizing speed management programs to present to Georgia's cities and counties. Speeding is a complex problem involving the interaction of many factors including public attitudes, road user behavior, vehicle performance, roadway design and characteristics, posted speed limits and enforcement strategies. Accordingly, an interdisciplinary approach involving engineering, enforcement, and public policy/education is needed to reduce speeding related crashes, fatalities and injuries. Speed management involves a balanced effort that includes: defining the relationship between speed, speeding and safety; applying road design and engineering measures to obtain appropriate speeds; setting speed limits that are safe and reasonable; applying enforcement efforts and appropriate technologies that effectively target crash producing speeders and deters speeding; effectively marketing communication and educational messages that focus on high-risk drivers; and, soliciting the cooperation, support and leadership of traffic safety stakeholders.

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GA Driver's E ducation Young/Improved Drivers Sought

SAVE THE DATE:
GA Highway Safety

Conference

Thanks to the Georgia Driver Education Commission (GDEC), under the Teen and Adult Driver ReAugust 10-13, 2008
sponsibility Act, young drivers are encouraged to enroll in courses for acquiring knowledge and skills to Savannah Westin
become safety-conscious licensed drivers. These life-saving driver training opportunities are now

made available through a first of its kind grant program under provisions of Joshua's Law (O.C.G.A.

40-5-22).This year nearly 18,000 students will be taught through the GDEC grant program at thirty-five high schools

across the state. Countless other youth will receive virtual driver classroom instructions in more than 110 public library

computer station locations. This two-tiered educational exposure fulfills the GDEC mission to provide easily accessible

driver training in a low-cost effective manner. The thirty-five selected grantee high schools received up to $140,000 in

grant funds. Each public library received up to $2,500 in grant money to enable driver education learning opportunities

with DDS licensed online courses. The grants are administered through the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway

Safety. GDEC Grant Program Manager, Gary Butler may be contacted at 404-656-6996 or by email, gbut-

ler@gohs.ga.gov for more information.

Connect Atlanta Plan Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has launched the city's first comprehensive transportation strategy through the development of the "Connect Atlanta Plan". Stakeholders were solicited and selected from all walks of the community. They now begin a year long planning initiative to design a proposal to accommodate Atlanta's rapid growth and insure mobility for residents and visitors alike. More than seventy-five selected stakeholders gathered for the initial meeting in November to brainstorm ideas for this complex, integrated plan. From pedestrians to business owners, the Connect Atlanta Plan is set to incorporate all aspects of Atlanta living and commerce to ensure a better quality of life for those who reside, work, or play here. For more information, please visit the web-site at www.connectatlantaplan.com

Linnenkohl retires
During the September quarterly meeting, the Safety Program Leadership recognized retiring DOT Commissioner Harold E. Linnenkohl. Commissioner Linnenkohl served GDOT for nearly 40 years. The SPL adopted a resolution; IN ADDITION TO HIS MANY ACCOLADES, the Safety Program Leadership wishes it to be known to all that Harold E. Linnenkohl has served the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Civil Engineering Profession with distinction. Commissioner Linnenkohl had a successful career which he "worked his way up through the ranks"; promoted transportation Safety Conscious Planning; implemented Integrated Safety Management Process and the Strategic Highway Safety

Plan; lead Work Zone Safety programs; and has served in leadership roles in national transportation associations.
Abraham named top DOT post
In its October 17th meeting, the State Transportation Board named Dr. Gena L. Abraham as DOT commissioner effective December 1, 2007. Abraham became the DOT's 14th commissioner and the first woman ever to hold the state's top transportation post overseeing 5800 employees and over $2 billion statewide annual agency budget. Dr. Abraham has served as the State Property Officer, Executive Secretary and Director of the Construction Division of the GA State Financing and Investment Commission, and Chief Engineer of the Georgia Building Authority. Dr. Abraham replaces retiring Commissioner Harold E. Linnenkohl who served as commissioner since 2003.