Congressmen Cohen, Fitzpatrick and Garcia Introduce the Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act

WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), and Robert Garcia (CA-42) today introduced the Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act. The measure reauthorizes and strengthens the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program whose life-saving projects in more than 1,600 communities across the United States are reducing roadway fatalities and serious accidents.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Memphis ranks worst in the country among major cities for pedestrian fatalities, and studies indicate the numbers have steadily increased. Much of the problem is attributable to the emphasis on automobile use of our roadways, not alternative infrastructure like bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and lighted crosswalks. The SS4A program supports both the development of local roadway safety plans and the implementation of data-driven, community-focused infrastructure improvements. We have a long way to go in equipping local communities with tools to protect pedestrians, cyclists, scooter-riders, motorists and transit riders. This is critical legislation that will save lives.”

Congressman Fitzpatrick made the following statement:

“PA-1 is a proud walking and biking community — it’s part of what makes our district such a special place to call home. Every day, kids walk to school, families ride to our parks, and neighbors cross busy streets to reach our Main Street small businesses and transit. The Safe Streets for All Act invests directly in our community, giving us the resources to fix dangerous intersections, add crosswalks and bike lanes, and protect everyone who uses our roads.”

Congressman Garcia made the following statemen:

“We know how important it is to invest in making our roads and streets safer across the country. The Safe Streets and Roads for All program has been an incredibly successful investment that makes our communities safer. I’m proud to support this bill to strengthen its impact and save lives.”

Endorsing organization statements: 

“With roadway fatalities and injuries at historically high levels, a comprehensive approach to roadway safety is urgently needed. The Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act, offers this by improving roadway infrastructure and preserving localities’ ability to achieve targeted infrastructure enhancements. Traffic calming measures and roundabouts, which improve safety and traffic flow, benefit all road users. Advocates lauds Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Robert Garcia (D-CA) for their bipartisan leadership to advance roadway safety and protect the American public.” -- Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

From Transportation for America:

“SS4A has been a powerful mechanism for providing direct, rapid support to local communities to make their streets safer for everyone, allowing those who know their communities best to receive federal funds directly. We applaud this bipartisan, commonsense fix to direct more SS4A money to capital projects, and we hope that the next authorization will eliminate the need for programs like SS4A by prioritizing safety with all federal formula programs and holding states accountable for making measurable progress on safety.”

“Safety is a major issue on our nation’s roads. ASCE assigned U.S. roads a grade of ‘D+’ in the 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, partially due to having the second-highest rate of traffic fatalities of any nation across the globe,” said Feniosky Peña Mora, Sc.D., P.E., President, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). “The Safe Streets and Roads for All Program helps addresses this by funding plans and projects intended to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 39,345 people died in traffic crashes on the nation's roads in 2024. Reauthorizing the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program will enable counties, cities, metropolitan planning organizations, Tribal governments, and other entities to concentrate on implementing solutions that can improve the safety of their communities. ASCE thanks Reps. Steve Cohen and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing legislation to reauthorize and improve this critical program.”

“The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program provides critically needed support to local communities across the country to improve transportation safety, reduce injuries, and save lives. Trust for Public Land supports SS4A because investments in local transportation safety result in safer routes to schools, parks, and other everyday destinations for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and commuters of all kinds. We applaud Congressman Cohen and his colleagues for introducing this important legislation to reauthorize and improve SS4A.” -- J.T. Horn, Senior Director of the Trails Initiative, Trust for Public Land

“The Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act gives local and regional leaders the resources and flexibility they need to make smart, life-saving investments in their communities. Placing decision-making power in the hands of those closest to the problem will enable communities to build safer streets and save lives.” -- Erich Zimmermann, Executive Director, National Association of Regional Councils

“The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) is proud to support the Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act. The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program is a vital tool in advancing our nation’s roadway safety. By providing resources directly to local, regional and tribal governments, SS4A empowers communities to perform vital safety projects that move us closer to the goal of zero deaths on our nation’s roadways. We thank Reps. Cohen, Fitzpatrick, and Garcia for introducing this legislation and building on the program's success in order to save lives and prevent injuries on our roads." -- Stacy Tetschner, President and CEO, American Traffic Safety Services Association

“The Safe Streets and Roads for All Program is making streets safer and saving lives in communities of every size,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “Whether you drive, bike, or walk, everyone deserves to get home safely. Reauthorizing this program means investing in proven solutions that prevent crashes, strengthen local economies, and connect communities. We thank Representative Cohen, Representative Fitzpatrick, and Representative Garcia for leading on this critical effort to keep Americans safe.”

“The safety of our roads is paramount,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The Safe Streets and Roads for All program has invested in safety in more than 1,600 communities since its inception and we applaud those in Congress leading the charge to ensure this vital work continues. The Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act is an investment in safer communities and saving lives.” 

“AARP, which advocates for the more than 100 million Americans age 50 and older, is pleased to endorse the Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act. This important legislation reauthorizes and enhances the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, building on Congress’s work to reduce traffic fatalities and improve roadway safety across the nation…AARP appreciates your bipartisan leadership in sponsoring this critical legislation, and we look forward to working with you to ensure its enactment.” -- Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President, AARP Government Affairs

The Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act would: 

• Reauthorize the SS4A program at $5 billion annually from Fiscal Year 2027 through Fiscal Year 2031; and
• Lower the planning grant set-aside to a minimum of 20 percent of annual program funding, which is a significant decrease from the original 40 percent, ensuring adequate implementation funding. 

In 2023, more than 40,000 people died in traffic crashes across the United States. Pedestrian deaths alone reached a 40-year high in 2022, with 7,522 people struck and killed while walking. These numbers are not inevitable; they are preventable.

By allocating additional funding toward implementation, the Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act builds on the proven success of the SS4A program to move us closer to the goal of zero roadway fatalities.

The bill is supported by AARP, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, American Heart Association, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), KABOOM!, League of American Bicyclists, National Association of Counties (NACo), PeopleforBikes, Rails to Trails, Transportation for America (T4A), Trust for Public Land, and over 50 state and local organizations listed here.

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