Rhode Island Aims to Improve Highway Safety, Reduce Deaths

Rhode Island’s governor has signed a plan designed to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the state’s roadways.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee on Monday signed the Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which focuses on driver behaviors like speeding and impaired driving as well as on safely designed roads and intersections. The plan is part of a national highway safety strategy known as Toward Zero Deaths, which aims to cut in half roadway deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

Chafee and state Transportation Director Michael Lewis say Rhode Island has taken steps to improve highway safety in recent years but that more can be done. From 2006 to 2010, highway fatalities in the state dropped by 17 percent, from 81 to 67.

Chafee signed the plan at a Statehouse ceremony.