Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Legislation to Make Roads Safer for Students in Southern Nevada

Rep. Dina Titus Introduces Legislation to Make Roads Safer for Students in Southern Nevada

Congresswoman Titus (D-NV1) today introduced the Protect Our Students Act, new legislation to protect students in Southern Nevada from traffic incidents by unlocking federal funding to make school zones safer.

Each year, approximately 100 students in the United States lose their lives due to car crashes while walking to or from school, and another 25,000 are injured. In Clark County, 206 children and young adults have been the victims of traffic collisions this school year alone. Addressing this public safety threat is one of Congresswoman Titus's priorities as a Senior Member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

"No student should fear for their life or safety on their way to school," said Congresswoman Titus. "That is why I am introducing legislation to make federal funding available for safety improvements in school zones, whether through hiring crossing guards or other proven methods that reduce traffic accidents on our roads. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to make our roads safer for everyone, including our students, as we craft the surface transportation reauthorization bill."

The Protect Our Students Act would allow states and localities to use Section 402 Highway Safety Program grants to make safety improvements in school zones. Eligible improvements include hiring crossing guards, flashing lights and beacons, visible signage and markings, crosswalks, traffic calming measures; and Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure such as student pedestrian safety education.

"As a community, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that every child gets to and from school safely," said Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft. "I applaud Congresswoman Titus on the Protect Our Students Act, which will give states and local governments more tools to improve safety in school zones. By expanding eligible programs under federal highway safety funding, this legislation will help us invest in infrastructure, education, and enforcement strategies that save lives and protect our most vulnerable road users."

"The most sacred travel is children traveling to and from school," said Erin Breen, Director of PedSafe Vegas. "Every child deserves safe travel in their neighborhoods, their quality of life is dependent on safe travel, especially outside of a vehicle. Every action that helps children walk, or roll to school adds to their childhood experience, we want those memories to be positive, and we thank Congresswoman Titus for leading this effort!"

"Children should always be able to safely walk or bike to school. The Protect Our Students Act allows federal highway safety funds to be used to improve school zone safety including to improve visibility, curb speeding and better separate road users. Ensuring states have the resources to make safety improvements is a critical step toward protecting children and the caregivers who travel with them every day. We thank Rep. Titus for her safety leadership and urge Congress to advance this legislation," said Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

"Safe Kids Worldwide applauds Representative Titus for her leadership in protecting our children as they travel to and from school," said Safe Kids Worldwide President Torine Creppy. "Every child deserves a safe environment, whether they walk, ride the bus, or bike to school. The School Zone Safety Act ensures states can fund critical infrastructure projects that improve safety around school zones. We look forward to working with Representative Titus to advance this important legislation."

"Safe Routes Partnership strongly supports the Protect Our Students Act and applauds Representative Titus for prioritizing student transportation safety," said Marisa Jones, Managing Director of Safe Routes Partnership. "Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure is an evidence-based approach shown to reduce traffic injuries, and this bill gives states the flexibility to use proven strategies to protect children in school zones so every child can walk, bike, or roll to school safely."

This legislation has been endorsed by Safe Kids Worldwide; Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; PedSafe Vegas; and the Safe Routes Partnership.

Background:

Under current law, Section 402 Highway Safety Program grants can be used to "reduce injuries and deaths resulting from crashes involving school buses." The Protect Our Students Act would expand the program's eligibility to include projects that help prevent injuries and deaths in school zones, instead of just prevent crashes "involving buses."

The bill would also clarify that state highway officials can use the grants for the following: school crossing guards; flashing lights and beacons; visible signage and markings; crossings; traffic calming measures such as pedestrian islands; traffic lights; school zone audits and assessments; automatic traffic enforcement; and Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure such as pedestrian safety education.

Finally, Congresswoman Titus's legislation would increase the percentage of Section 402 funds required to be expended by political subdivisions from 40 percent to 50 percent.