Roadway Safety Association Congratulates Elaine Chao as New U.S. Secretary of Transportation

Fredericksburg, Va. – (January 31, 2017) – Following the Senate’s overwhelming 93 to six vote today to approve Elaine Chao as the next Secretary of Transportation, members of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) expressed their excitement, eagerness and commitment to work closely with the new secretary and all members of the department.

ATSSA members are responsible for roadway safety features found on America’s roadways, including signs, pavement markings, guardrail, rumble strips, temporary traffic control devices and other lifesaving products. ATSSA also leads the nation in training work zone workers.

“ATSSA congratulates Secretary Chao and looks forward to continuing our member’s ongoing efforts with local, state and federal departments of transportation to help improve America’s roadway infrastructure to be the safest, most efficient roadway system in the world,” said ATSSA’s President and CEO Roger Wentz.

“All ATSSA members are eager to work with Secretary Chao in the coming months and beyond to implement the current transportation bill which includes the Highway Safety Improvement Program and roadway safety infrastructure improvements in general,” said Wentz.
“With roadway fatalities increasing in recent years, ATSSA looks forward to working with the Secretary, Congress and the Trump Administration to ensure that investments for roadway safety infrastructure projects are continued so that we can combat and reduce roadway fatalities nationwide,” said ATSSA’s Vice President of Government Relations Nathan Smith. “Our goal is zero deaths on America’s roadways, and we look forward to working with Secretary Chao to achieve that.” Secretary Chao served as the 24th U. S. Secretary of Labor from 2001-2009 and was the longest tenured Secretary of Labor since World War II. According to her website, “she has been recognized with innumerable awards for her public and community service and is the recipient of 36 honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities across the globe.”

ATSSA’s core purpose is to advance roadway safety. ATSSA represents the roadway safety industry with effective legislative advocacy and a far-reaching member partnership. The association also leads the nation in work zone safety training and education for roadway workers across the country.