Rep. Carter Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Make Roadways Safer for Disabled Vehicles and Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), Congressman Rudy Yakym (R-IN), and Congressman Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (R-PA) introduced the bipartisan Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act. This legislation would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to collect, analyze, compile, and publish accurate, detailed data on disabled roadside vehicle crashes and work zone crashes to develop a strategic plan to stop these incidents.

Three Southern University students and band members were killed on the evening of December 6, 2022, in rural Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, while they were changing a tire on the side of Interstate 49. The driver of an 18-wheeler drifted off the road and struck the left side of the students’ disabled vehicle, killing them all instantly. Being stuck along America’s roadways is incredibly dangerous. Crashes involving disabled or vulnerable passenger vehicles stopped on or near active roadways are a deadly, growing traffic safety problem.

“I’m proud to introduce this bill which addresses an urgent and preventable traffic safety crisis,” said Rep. Carter. “The tragic loss of three Southern University students is a reminder of the lethal dangers faced by anyone stranded along America’s roadways. No one should lose their life while performing something as routine as changing a tire or refueling their car. This legislation protects everyday road users, professionals, and first responders who risk their lives to keep our roads safe. It’s past time for comprehensive action to prevent these avoidable roadside deaths.”

In response to this incident, Congressman Carter began to work with traffic safety professionals and advocates, including Louisiana native and former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator Dr. Ricardo Martinez, to write a bill to make our roadways safer for passengers of disabled vehicles.

Studies show that accidents involving disabled roadside vehicles are often underreported and likely kill or injure over 15,000 people in America annually. Additionally, almost 100,000 work zone crashes occur annually, leading to over 35,000 injuries and almost 1,000 deaths – including almost 150 construction worker fatalities. Even though work zones may be set up properly according to state requirements, these crashes and related fatalities continue to increase.

“Nobody should have to fear for their lives while tending to an emergency on the side of the road,” said Rep. Titus. “We can and must do better. I am proud to co-lead this legislation to prevent roadside deaths and injuries.”

“Injuries and deaths from crashes involving disabled roadside vehicles and work zones are a tragic and largely preventable problem in our country,” said Rep. Yakym. “I’m proud to partner with Reps. Carter, Bresnahan, and Titus on this commonsense, bipartisan legislation that uses data, collaboration, and existing resources to address a real issue impacting tens of thousands of lives each year. The Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act moves us closer to a shared goal: making safety the standard, not the exception on America’s roads.”

“Work zone and roadside crashes happen far too often, and each incident represents a devastating loss that impacts families, communities, and the essential workers who keep our infrastructure moving,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “The Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act is a critical step forward in protecting those who work and travel along our nation’s roads. By improving data collection, encouraging strategic planning, and leveraging existing federal resources, this legislation will help save lives and make our work zones and roadways safer for everyone.”

“Implementing a Safe System Approach to eliminate serious traffic injuries and fatalities requires policy solutions inclusive of all road users, especially vulnerable road users,” said Mark Chung, Executive Vice President of Safety Leadership and Advocacy for the National Safety Council. “Vulnerable road user deaths remain troubling even as overall motor vehicles fatalities decline. The National Safety Council believes the Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act takes a vital step forward in addressing the crisis on our roads by bringing government stakeholders together to align data and better implement the National Roadway Safety Strategy.”

“Urban League of Louisiana applauds the steadfast efforts of Congressman Carter to author bills that elevate the lived experiences of disinvested communities and which champion tangible outcomes for Louisianans and Americans,” said Judy Reese Morse, Urban League of Louisiana President & CEO. “The Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Death Act is the most recent example of Congressman Carter seeking to use data as a critical tool in crafting a strategic plan to make Americans safer while commuting. This bill is smart, timely, and addresses a less-known threat to Americans making less than the US median income and Black motorist.”

“A motorist repairing a flat tire, a first responder aiding people after a crash, a police officer stopping an impaired driver, and a construction worker repairing a roadway all have one thing in common. They are vulnerable to being struck and killed or injured by passing motor vehicles, a common occurrence that affects 72,000 people every year. We are proud to support the Preventing Roadside Deaths Act, sponsored by Reps. Troy Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), that directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a national strategy to address this deadly problem because all road users should be protected on all parts of our roadways,” said Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

“The sharp increase in traffic fatalities in the last few years is a public health threat that must be met head-on. AAA believes the Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act is a good first step in that direction and looks forward to working with Congressmembers Carter, Yakym, Titus, and Bresnahan and safety stakeholders to improve safety for anyone stranded or working at the roadside,” said AAA President and CEO Gene Boehm.

“I know all too well the tragedies that can strike families with a disabled roadside vehicle, and I appreciate Congressman Carter’s ‘Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act,” said MADD National Ambassador Michelle Ramsey. “My 4-year-old son Samuel and 6-year-old son Khaiden were killed by a drunk driver who plowed through safety triangles, struck a car that then struck me, then ran off the road and slammed into my sons, my daughter Kaylee and a teenage neighbor who had come outside to help us. Two beautiful lives were stolen on the side of the road that night and three others will never be the same.”

“Every few minutes, healthy Americans are killed or injured in these incidents, and the numbers are rising. People in and around disabled vehicles are sitting ducks, especially on high-speed roads. It’s time to address this deadly issue and implement effective solutions,” said Dr. Ricardo Martinez, former NHTSA Administrator and emergency physician.

“On behalf of the men and women of the American Association of State Troopers, we strongly support our lawmakers and the legislation they propose that attempts to make traveling our nations roadways safer for all!” said Major John J. Bagnardi, Ret. Executive Director American Association of State Troopers.

“Every day, towing and recovery professionals put their lives on the line, working just feet from fast-moving traffic,” said Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA) President George Kuntz. “The legislation introduced by Congressman Carter marks a critical advancement in acknowledging and addressing the very real dangers our industry faces. By strengthening data collection, expanding public awareness of Move Over laws, and reinforcing federal safety initiatives, this bill demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting traffic incident responders. TRAA proudly supports this legislation and thanks Congressman Carter for his leadership and continued commitment to the safety of those who keep our roads moving.”

"Asphalt contractors and the roadway safety industry applaud the introduction of the Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act. We applaud that this bill is being introduced to improve worker safety. It is especially timely as this is National Work Zone Awareness Week, an annual effort to raise awareness about the dangers workers face building and maintaining our nation's roads and bridges. Roadway workers deliver critical surface transportation infrastructure to ensure all users of all types – pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists – can travel safely around the country. Yet over the last five years, we’ve lost 578 roadway workers in work zone crashes. We greatly appreciate Representatives Carter, Bresnahan, Titus, and Yakym for co-sponsoring this bipartisan bill and for their leadership on the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization package. With these initiatives, together we can work toward bringing the number of lives lost to zero,” said the National Asphalt Pavement Association and American Traffic Safety Services Association in a joint statement.

"When our industries, government and labor unite with bipartisan support, we pave the way for safer work zones, ensuring the ultimate goal of every worker returning home safely each day,” said Travis M. Parsons, Director of Occupational Safety & Health, Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America.

This bill is endorsed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), American Automobile Association (AAA), National Safety Council, Urban League of Louisiana, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, American Association of State Troopers, Major County Sheriffs of America, Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, National Asphalt Pavement Association, Towing and Recovery Association of America, American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), American Society of Civil Engineers, National Ready Mix Concrete Association, National Sand Stone and Gravel Association, American Concrete Paving Association, National Utility Contractors Association, Associated General Contractors, Associated Equipment Distributers, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Laborers' International Union of North America, and Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America.

Background

According to peer-reviewed research:

• Every 7 minutes, a disabled vehicle is struck by an oncoming driver
• Approximately 72,000 people are affected annually, with over 15,000 people injured or killed
• Nearly 80% of victims of these accidents are from households that are under the U.S. median income, and Black motorists are twice as likely to die in a disabled vehicle crash than the rest of the U.S. population.
• The frequency of “unintended” pedestrians and “Good Samaritans” killed while attending to disabled vehicles has increased by 27% since 2014.

This data is incomplete and most likely under-reported due to inconsistent data capture at the local and state level. The problem grows as roads become more congested, average speeds increase, and drivers are exposed to more distractions.

The Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act will:

• Improve reporting and accountability by requiring the Secretary of Transportation to collect, analyze, and publish detailed data on Disabled Roadside Vehicle Crashes and Work Zone Crashes, as well as encourage local uniform data collection and sharing.
• Create strategic plans to improve roadside and work zone safety from working groups convened by the Department of Transportation and relevant stakeholder groups to combat these dangerous issues.
• Use existing federal funding and authorization by utilizing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (the current Surface Transportation Act), where authorities and funding is already available for states and cities to provide the necessary data and implement programs to prevent these accidents.
• Require FHWA to report to Congress on the use and effectiveness of work zone safety contingency funds created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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