What is the SHSP?
The Strategic Highway Safety Plan, or SHSP, is a statewide, comprehensive safety plan that provides a coordinated framework for reducing fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The SHSP strategically establishes statewide goals, objectives, and key emphasis areas developed in consultation with federal, state, local, and private sector safety stakeholders.
What is SHSP needed?
Maryland is on a journey to “Destination – Saving Lives,” and the vehicle is the SHSP. The purpose for taking this journey is clear. Motor vehicle crashes are already costing Marylanders entirely too much…the toll includes not only dollars, but lives as well.
The goal of the SHSP is to reduce these crashes and the resulting fatalities and injuries by sharing resources and targeting efforts to the areas of greatest need. Every journey requires leaders, pathfinders, problem solvers, and visionaries, and Maryland is enlisting state, local and federal agencies; institutions; private sector firms; and concerned citizens to help solve this critical problem.
Overview of SHSP Process
The process to update the SHSP is guided by the leadership of the Maryland Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Maryland Department of State Police. The State Highway Administration (SHA) is managing the project on their behalf, with the Maryland Highway Safety Office (MHSO) facilitating the process.
A broad range of state agencies and other organizations actively participated in the process through the SHSP Executive Committee, Steering Committee, and during a Transportation Safety Summit where more than 300 engineers, planners, law enforcement officers, emergency medical services personnel, public health officials, and community activists joined the “Destination – Saving Lives” journey.
These concerned and committed Maryland citizens reviewed the data and developed strategies to substantially reduce the staggering human and economic costs of traffic crashes.
The Maryland SHSP focuses on the following key emphasis areas:
- Reducing Impaired Driving
- Improving Information and Decision Support Systems
- Eliminating Hazardous Locations by:
- Keeping Vehicles on the Roadway
- Improving Intersection Safety
- Creating Safer Work Zones
- Making Walking and Crossing Streets Safer
- Increasing Occupant Protection
- Improving Driver Competency by:
- Reducing Distracted Driving
- Enhancing Safe Mobility for Older Drivers
- Developing Safe Young Drivers
- Improving Motorcycle Safety
- Making Truck and Bus Travel Safer
- Curbing Aggressive Driving
- Improving Emergency Response System
Join this Journey!
Safety stakeholders are continuing to lead this effort through the Executive and Steering Committees and by participation on Emphasis Area Teams. These teams are moving to implementation because they know that to stand still will mean a loss of more lives.
The 10 Cs for SHSP Success
You can join this journey by following our 10 Cs for SHSP success! The SHSP provides the framework to apply the best solutions to solve Maryland’s most critical highway safety problems. The continued active involvement of safety stakeholders and concerned citizens, along with the unwavering focus on the plan’s goal will ensure Maryland reaches “Destination – Saving Lives”.
- COMMIT to improve traffic safety
- CHAMPION the cause
- CONCENTRATE on data analysis
- CRAFT comprehensive solutions
- COMMUNICATE the message
- COORDINATE with partners
- COOPERATE with stakeholders
- COMBINE resources
- CREATE support
- COMPLEMENT the SHSP
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