Latest updates
Biden highlights guardrails in State of the Union
In championing the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act IIJA in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Joe Biden specifically mentioned “highway guardrails” as a positive outcome of the legislation. This is apparently the first mention of guardrails in the history of these presidential addresses to Congress. Additionally, Biden announced that the nation would start fixing “over 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges in disrepair.” That was in addition to 4,000 projects Biden said had already been announced. ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner commended the emphasis on infrastructure and the specific reference to a proven lifesaving device produced by ATSSA members. In championing the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act IIJA in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Joe Biden specifically mentioned “highway guardrails” as a positive outcome of the legislation. This is apparently the first mention of guardrails in the history of these presidential addresses to Congress. Additionally, Biden announced that the nation would start fixing “over 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges in disrepair.” That was in addition to 4,000 projects Biden said had already been announced. ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner commended the emphasis on infrastructure and the specific reference to a proven lifesaving device produced by ATSSA members. “We agree with President Biden that addressing the nation’s infrastructure needs is critical and has broad implications for the country’s standing in the world and that it generates significant jobs,” Tetschner said. “But more than that, these investments will dramatically save lives on American roadways. “Our members manufacture, distribute and install a wide range of roadway safety infrastructure devices from guardrail and cable barrier to pavement markings, traffic signs and signals, high friction surface treatment and work zone safety equipment, all of which demand attention and investment. We look forward to continuing to work with state and local departments of transportation as well as Congress and the Biden administration to advance roadway safety.” The IIJA passed in November and is a historic investment in transportation funding. It includes a 5-year, $304 billion investment in roads and bridges, a 34% increase over current spending for the Highway Trust Fund HTF and translates into $16.8 billion over five years for the Highway Safety Improvement Program HSIP. In addition, the law includes a $5 billion Safe Streets for All program designed to assist state and local governments with vision zero projects. All told, there is more than $22 billion dedicated to roadway safety in the package.
NSC estimates motor vehicle deaths increased 9% in 2021
The National Safety Council NSC estimates total motor vehicle deaths for 2021 increased 9% over 2020 and that mileage rebounded by 11% from the low numbers seen during 2020 at the peak of the COVID-19 lockdowns, according to a report released this morning. That projection is 3 points below last month’s traffic fatality projection released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA and reported here. NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System FARS provides statistical projections for traffic fatalities nationwide, looking at the first nine months of the year in its report that provides an early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities. NSC estimates 46,020 motor vehicle deaths for all of 2021 compared to its 2020 estimate of 42,339 and its 2019 estimate of 39,107. The National Safety Council NSC estimates total motor vehicle deaths for 2021 increased 9% over 2020 and that mileage rebounded by 11% from the low numbers seen during 2020 at the peak of the COVID-19 lockdowns, according to a report released this morning. That projection is 3 points below last month’s traffic fatality projection released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA and reported here. NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System FARS provides statistical projections for traffic fatalities nationwide, looking at the first nine months of the year in this report that provides an early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities. NHTSA projected traffic fatalities increased by 12% for the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period for 2020, marking the biggest percentage increase in the history of the NHTSA fatality reporting process. NHTSA’s 12% increase is based on an estimated 31,720 people killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide in the first nine months of 2021 compared to 28,325 killed in the first nine months of 2020. That is the highest number of fatalities for nine months since 2006. NSC estimates 46,020 motor vehicle deaths for all of 2021 compared to its 2020 estimate of 42,339 and its 2019 estimate of 39,107. The estimate from 2019 to 2021 is an 18% increase. NSC’s report includes additional data including age group comparisons, type of crash and crashes by time of day and day of the week. It also includes a comparison of the NSC and NHTSA estimates.
Digitally Printed Traffic Sign Guide (2019)
The “Digitally Printed Traffic Sign Guide” rev. 01, 2019 covers the requirements for digitally printed finished retroreflective traffic control signs on flat sheet aluminum and digitally printed traffic sign faces intended to be applied to a sign substrate. Sections 1-7 are included. View the Digitally Printed Traffic Sign Guide
Upcoming Events
2026 Convention & Traffic Expo
Where Roadway Safety + Innovation Intersect. ATSSA’s 56th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo is Feb. 20-24, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Join key roadway safety and transportation professionals at this premier event.
Legislative Briefing & Fly-In 2026
ATSSA’s 2026 Legislative Briefing & Fly-In is April 14-15, in Washington, D.C.
TOOLS & RESOURCES
Easily find content, tools or products in the Resource Library. Search industry, legal and volunteer resources; products, toolkits and publications for industry professionals, past webinars and more. Get the ATSSA Worker Protection Toolkit for resources on incident response and prevention.
ATSSA Community
As a member of ATSSA, you become part of a vibrant community made up of thousands of roadway safety infrastructure professionals. Explore ways of connecting with your professional community through chapters and volunteer leadership and access quick links to the most popular member resources.
Innovation and Technical Services
ATSSA is dedicated to being a reliable and accurate source of innovative technology information for all members. As the industry moves towards an automated and more technologically advanced future, prepare and learn from best practices and resources related to traffic safety topics and technical services.
National Work Zone Awareness Week
Show your support of work zone safety awareness by participating in NWZAW 2026, April 20-24, with ATSSA and host Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).
ATSSA's Core purpose is to advance roadway safety
ATSSA members embrace the goal of eliminating roadway fatalities through the design, manufacture and installation of road safety and traffic control devices. For more than 50 years, ATSSA’s training has been recognized as the highest quality roadway safety training program available. Get top training for your team.