New Site Provides Safety Conditions Of U.S. Roads and Bridges

Motorists and transportation policy makers can learn more about the deadly deterioration of the nation's most heavily used highways and bridges at a new site on the World Wide Web, launched by Keep America Moving (KAM) -- a national coalition of businesses and associations promoting safer roads and bridges.

Designed so its "buttons" look like highway signs, KAM's site [ http://www.highways.org ] carries a bounty of highly detailed information about the condition of roads and bridges in all 50 states. Its state specific and national data show that almost 60 percent of the major roads in the U.S. are in poor to fair condition. And one-third of the bridges are in such sad shape they need replacement or repair. Bad roads and bridges are acontributing cause in 12,000 highway fatalities annually, including preventable fatalities to drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bikers. The site's launch was prompted by congressional consideration of a new highway funding law. The current law, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), expires September 30. Highways.org is designed to provide information and analysis as Congress debates highway funding. The site also includes the answers to 20 frequently asked questions about highways, commuting, highway safety and congestion. It includes an analysis of 36 myths and realities about highway issues, a primer on ISTEA, a discussion of major highway issues, a glossary of terms, information about KAM and a list of its 35 members. Links to KAM-member Web sites and to Congress are included.

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