Hartford, Conn (WTIC Radio) - As part of the transportation bill established last year, the Department of Transportation's Zero Vision Council heard from two federal partners in a virtual meeting as it works to reduce the substantial increase in traffic fatalities, peaking in 2021.
Figures show Connecticut reported 250 traffic fatalities in 2019, 301 in 2020 and 326 in 2021.
Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Transportation Garrett Eucalitto said, "When you go back and look at the history of fatalities on our roadways, we're looking at a 20-year high mark. For motorcycle fatalities, we're looking at numbers that are highest since 1987."
Richard Simon, Regional Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said several traffic factors are considered.
"Then we design counter measures as a result. This is the first time we took a long, hard look at race. We found a tremendous imbalance. People of color are more greatly impacted by crashes than others," Simon said.
Those stakeholders should have a seat at the table when counter measures are established, he said.
Partnerships with municipalities are key to reducing traffic fatalities, Amy Jackson-Grove of the Federal Highway Administration said.
"Under the new infrastructure law, there are local funding opportunities, safety being a priority. We're trying to get organized, rolling out the guidance. We're just two months into the new law. There's a lot of guidance being written right now before we can implement the programs," Jackson-Grove said.