The Federal Government’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) discretionary grant programs to fund regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The program includes funding for a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, as well as future funding opportunities for Implementation Grants. Indian River County was awarded a SS4A grant for the creation of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan.

The Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will identify the most significant roadway safety concerns in the community and the implementation of projects and strategies to address roadway issues. This plan will identify safety projects and measures toward achieving Target Zero within Indian River County.

Target Zero is a statewide initiative to reduce the number of transportation-related serious injuries and deaths across Florida to zero. This initiative was published in the 2021 Florida’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and it identifies strategies to achieve zero traffic deaths and serious injuries. In 2022, the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) adopted Target Zero with the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries within the County.

On average, eight people are killed and 49 are seriously injured on Florida’s roads every day. The design of the State’s current transportation system and driver behavior are contributing factors to these deaths and serious injuries. Target Zero aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries to protect Indian River County’s residents and visitors.

The Action Plan will include a safety analysis of Indian River County’s transportation network, which will then be used to identify projects to increase safety. Upon completion of the Action Plan, projects identified in the plan will be eligible for funding through SS4A Implementation Grants.

There are multiple ways to provide feedback through this process. First, the project website includes a survey and interactive map for residents and visitors to share their experiences with the County’s transportation network. Additionally, public workshops will be held to gather community input in early 2025. The locations, dates, and times for these workshops will be posted on the project website as soon as they are scheduled.