Message to the Congress
Transmitting the Annual Reports on Highway and Motor Vehicle Safety
To
the Congress of the
The
Highway Safety Act and the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, both
enacted in 1966, initiated a national effort to reduce traffic deaths and
injuries and require annual reports on the administration of the Acts. This is
the 20th year that these reports have been prepared for your review.
The
report on motor vehicle safety includes the annual reporting requirement in
Title I of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act of 1972 (bumper
standards).
In
the Highway Safety Acts of 1973, 1976, and 1978, the Congress expressed its
special interest in certain aspects of traffic safety that are addressed in the
volume on highway safety.
The
national outrage against drunk drivers, combined with growing safety belt use
and the voluntary cooperation we have received from all sectors of American
life, has brought about even more improvements in traffic safety.
In
addition, despite large increases in the number of drivers and vehicles, the
Federal standards and programs for motor vehicle and highway safety instituted
since 1966 have contributed to a significant reduction in the fatality rate per
100 million miles of travel. The rate decreased from 5.5 in the mid-60's to the
1986 level of 2.5.
The
progress we have made is, of course, no consolation to the relatives and
friends of those 46,056 people who, despite the safety advances and greater
public awareness, lost their lives in 1986. But it is indicative of the
positive trend this Administration has established to make our roads safer.
During
a time of economic prosperity and lower gas prices, the loss of approximately
126 lives per day on our Nation's highways is still too high. Also, with the
increasing motor vehicle travel, we are faced with the threat of an even higher
number of traffic fatalities. Therefore, there is a continuing need for
effective motor vehicle and highway safety programs.
We
will continue to pursue highway and motor vehicle safety programs that are most
effective in reducing deaths and injuries. We are convinced that even during
these times of fiscal austerity, significant progress in traffic safety can be
achieved through the combined efforts of government, industry, and the public.
Ronald
Reagan
The
White House,