Over the past three decades, significant gains have been made in highway safety.
Fatality rates are now at their lowest recorded levels.
However, recent data suggest safety gains in terms of rates will be more difficult to attain. This is due to the increase in numbers of fatally injured persons and a leveling off of vehicle miles traveled. Increased traffic congestion and aggressive driving also pose serious concerns. Therefore, future highway safety efforts must be focused on areas where there is the greatest potential for improvement. Sections 130 safety projects are intended to eliminate hazards to vehicles and pedestrians at rail-highway crossings.