Traffic safety group ranks DC, Maryland and Virginia efforts to prevent deadly crashes

The White House is visible as morning traffic builds along 16th Street Northwest, in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016.  (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

More than 37,000 people are expected to be killed on U.S. highways this year, and one group is renewing calls for states to pass traffic safety laws.

At a news conference Thursday, the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released its annual report evaluating progress being made by 50 states and D.C. in implementing 16 laws related to child passenger safety, teen drivers, impaired and distracted drivers, motorcycle helmet requirements, and primary enforcement of front and rear seat belt laws.

No state has all of the 16 recommended laws.

The “2020 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws” rankings find:

CLICK TO ENLARGE: The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released its annual report, which included definitions for the 16 laws related to child passenger safety, impaired driving and more. (Text via Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety)

As for some of the ways the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety believes localities could improve:

  • D.C. could pass a booster seat child protection law, impose stronger nighttime restrictions in graduated driver licensing laws, and make 16 the minimum age for a driver’s license learner’s permit.
  • Maryland could pass a primary enforcement seat belt law for rear passengers, make 18 years old the age to receive an unrestricted driver’s license, and require rear-facing child safety seats through age 2.
  • Virginia could make front and rear seat belt requirements subject to primary enforcement, make 16 the minimum age for a driver’s license learner’s permit and prevent teen drivers from driving at night, and pass an open container law.

See the full report here.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to remove quotes from Elda Ramiraz, who spoke at a previous year’s news conference.

Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up