Accidents

But both Texas and the nation rose to the occasion and responded to the need for a more "forgiving" roadside. The passage of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the Highway Safety Act of 1966 provided federal funds on a 50-50 matching basis for expansion and improvements of state and local highway safety programs. It is in this area that Texas has had the most notable contributions to transportation. Through its partnership with the Texas Highway Department and participation in the Cooperative Research Program, Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) researchers utilized the funding by designing, testing and implementing several life-saving safety structures such as breakaway signposts and light poles, innovative crash cushions, concrete barriers and guardrails. Many of these innovations are implemented today across the nation's highways.

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