[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 143 (Tuesday, October 6, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H10490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 OLDER DRIVER AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND ROADWAY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Altmire) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation that 
I have introduced that will help reduce the number of deaths and 
injuries occurring on our Nation's roadways.
  H.R. 3355, the Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway 
Enhancement Act of 2009, authorizes $500 million annually to be 
distributed to States from the existing highway trust fund to make our 
roads safer for older Americans. These funds can be used to make 
roadway improvements as described in the Federal Highway 
Administration's Older Driver Handbook.
  While older drivers have years of experience behind the wheel, they 
often require more time than younger drivers to react to changes on the 
road and are sometimes restricted in movement and cannot always meet 
the physical demands of turning to look at a blind spot or making sharp 
turns. According to the American Traffic Safety Services Association 
and the National Association of County Engineers' ``Low Cost Local Road 
Safety Solutions'' publication, simple changes to signs and markings 
have a proven track record of being both affordable and extremely 
effective at reducing roadway deaths and injuries.
  Some examples of these vital road safety improvements that would be 
funded by this legislation are signs with more legible font, retro-
reflective sheeting and retro-reflective pavement markings, left turn 
lanes at intersections and improved sign placement to ensure that 
drivers have adequate time to make informed decisions on the road.
  Last year, more than 37,000 men, women and children perished on 
America's roadways. This bill will be an effective step forward in 
reducing this sobering statistic. According to the AARP's Public Policy 
Institute, as of 2003, 80 percent of persons age 65 and older were 
licensed drivers, and 90 percent of all trips by older Americans are by 
automobile, whether as a driver or passenger. This is especially true 
in suburban and rural areas where mass transportation systems are 
limited or nonexistent. By 2020, one in five licensed drivers will be 
65 years or older. By 2025, this number is expected to be one in four.
  With Congress continuing to debate the next transportation 
authorization, it is important that we do not lose sight of the older 
citizens in our communities. By improving the safety of our roads and 
highways and making their daily travel as safe as possible, we increase 
road safety for all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support this legislation that will improve road safety in every one of 
their districts. Please join me in raising awareness for road safety 
and the wellbeing of older and younger drivers alike by supporting H.R. 
3355.

                          ____________________