SAFE Streets Act

To amend title 23, United States Code, to include a special rule for the dedication of funds under the highway safety improvement program for certain vulnerable users, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Safe And Friendly for the Environment Streets Act SAFE Streets Act 2. Vulnerable user special rule Section 148(g) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Vulnerable users (A) In general If a covered planning area has a vulnerable user fatality rate that exceeds 1.5 individuals per 100,000 individuals (as calculated under subparagraph (B)), the State in which the covered planning area is located shall obligate funding amounts (in an amount described in subparagraph (C)) for the fiscal year beginning after the 3-year period described in subparagraph (B)(i) for projects on safety improvements for vulnerable users in such covered planning area. (B) Calculation of vulnerable user fatality rates Annually, the Secretary shall— (i) for each covered planning area, calculate the vulnerable user fatality rate for the most recent 3-year period for which data is available; (ii) for each covered planning area for which such rate exceeds 1.5 individuals per 100,000 individuals, determine the funding amount that each State in which such covered planning area is located shall obligate in accordance with subparagraph (C); and (iii) publish any rate calculated under clause (i) and any funding amounts determined under clause (ii) on the Department of Transportation website. (C) Calculation of funding amounts The amount described in this subparagraph is the amount received by a State under this section in a fiscal year multiplied by— (i) the number of vulnerable user fatalities in the covered planning area of the State, divided by (ii) the total traffic fatalities in the State. (D) Authorized user of funds (i) In general For funds obligated for use in a covered planning area under this paragraph, and except as provided under clause (ii), the State in which such covered planning area is located, in consultation with the applicable authority of such area, shall carry out projects funded under this section. (ii) Exception In the case of a metropolitan planning area with a population of over 200,000, the metropolitan planning organization shall carry out projects funded under this section. (E) Definitions In this paragraph, the following definitions apply: (i) Covered planning area The term covered planning area (I) an area under the jurisdiction of a metropolitan planning organization; (II) a Tribal land (as defined in section 2601(13) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 ( 25 U.S.C. 3501(13) (III) all areas in the State not described by subclauses (I) and (II). (ii) Vulnerable user The term vulnerable user (I) a pedestrian; (II) an individual on a bicycle, whether such individual is a pedal­cyclist or riding a low-speed electric bicycle; (III) an individual with a disability; or (IV) an individual using a mobility device (including a wheelchair, walker, or scooter, whether motorized or non-motorized). (iii) Vulnerable user fatality The term vulnerable user fatality .

Summary: Safe And Friendly for the Environment Streets Act or the SAFE Streets Act This bill requires state and local transportation agencies to dedicate certain funds under the highway safety improvement program to areas with vulnerable user fatality rates over 1.5 fatalities per 100,000 people. The bill defines a "vulnerable user" as a pedestrian, bicyclist, disabled individual, or an individual using a mobility device, e.g., a wheelchair or walker.