Federal Highway Policy
Xanthyne Perrin
POL 201 American National Government
Professor Angela Cranon-Charles
June 8, 2015

When we define the Federal Highway policy, we initially think of the many rules and guidelines that are to be followed when considering operating a motor vehicle. The Federal Highway Policy is placed to make a safer driving experience for many road users that are considering traveling by a motor vehicle. The creation of the Federal Highway Policy system in 1956, which was funded by road users who were paying a federal fuel tax of 18.3 cents per gallon of gasoline (The Heritage Foundation, 2010), which initially lost its since of purpose and today no more than 65% of all federal trust fund spending’s goes to general purpose roads. Like any policy in reference to federalism, there are the pros as well as the cons to any situation. The minimum age of drinking, the safety of the way these roads operate and the speed limits are all considered when discussing the Federal Highway Policy as well as the many issues that takes place in reference to the three issues listed. As we are all familiar, the legal drinking age of alcohol consumption is 21. There are many issues to the legal drinking age and why some agree that is should be lowered. Back in the 1970’s, a trend toward lowering the minimum legal drinking age 18, 19, or 20 took place in the states providing many natural experiments (Wagenarr & Toomey, 2005). As a result of lowering the legal drinking age traffic crashes increased significantly and the citizens encouraged to raise the drinking age back to the age of 21( Wagenarr & Toomey,2005). I have witnessed many traffic crashes due to many young adults under the influence of alcohol. I feel that the legal age should stay at 21 and it should not be argued in no way shape or form since it makes it dangerous on the road for anyone to be under the influence of alcohol. With age comes maturity and if they were to keep the age limit at 18 we would see more fatal traffic accidents involving young adults. Not only does the drinking age limit have a significant impact on the Federal Highway Policy but the safety of these roads also raises an issue for concern when it comes to the Federal Highway Policy. There are many rules that are placed for us to follow so we can insure the safety of ourselves when following these rules. When it comes to the Highway, safety is always something that we strongly consider when traveling alone the many highways and roads we may have to travel. There have been a number of programs that have been put into place to provide us with adequate safety on the highways. One of the programs that have been implemented to provide us with a safer highways experience is The State Highway Program commonly referred to as Section 402 which was initially authorized by the Highway Safety Act of 1966(Barrington, 2015). Section 402 supported State Highway Programs designed to reduce traffic crashes and resulting deaths, injuries, and property damage (Barrington, 2015). It is necessary to have certain programs implemented in order to insure the safety of many individuals traveling along these highways. The limit of speed is also a significant issue that pertain to the Federal Highway Policy. Why do we really need a speed limit? We need s speed limit because without one set in place there will be a number of ongoing issues in reference to the way the highway is being operated. The good reason behind not having a speed limit is less traffic tickets but the resolution of not having a speed limit is many traffic accidents that can be fatal and lead to death if death is not caused by the impact. For example, my mother is from Germany which is commonly known for the Autobahn, which is basically a highway with no speed limit put into effect which means there are many more fatal car crashes that occurs due the significant amount of speed the vehicle may be going. The most commonly asked question is why they would implement this type of law in Germany but not the United States. Personally a speed limit should be effective everywhere for the safety of those traveling the roadways however in America it is easier for you to receive a driver’s license whereas the process is more tedious in Germany. We also have a lot more road construction as well as traffic jams that causes us to need to implement a significant limit of speed for those operating a motor vehicle. That is the same as the different driving behaviors in a work zone. With the many different behaviors of individuals far as driving, in the work zones is causes traffic congestion which is something that is an ongoing issue in America (Lochrane et al., 2015). However, though traffic congestion is definitely in reference a significant issue to the many working Americans, I would always choose safety over anything and that doesn’t exclude traffic jams or in other congestion. We never realize how important it is to have many of this rules put in to place in order for us to have a safer environment to travel. Looking into Federalism and how it impacts the federal principle or system of the government, is how our environment is set up to be safe for everyone. Looking into the Federal Highway System and viewing the way it is operated and why, gave me a different insight on the benefits of traveling with the policies put into place. Understanding why the legal age of drinking is 21 and the issues that arise when it was reduced, the safety of the road way as well as the many who travel amongst these roads daily, as well as why we have a speed limit and the importance of speed on the highways all play a huge role in the Federal Highway Policy System. Without these policies put into effect we would risk seeing more accidents that could be avoided as well as deaths of many people since the road ways can be a very dangerous route to travel if certain precautions are not taken in perspective.

References
Barrington, M. (2015). Section 402: State Highway Safety Programs Retrieved From: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/legislationandpolicy/policy/section402/
Dickson, C. (2012). What the Supreme Court Obama Care Ruling Means for the Drinking Age, Retrieved From: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/29/what-the-supreme-court-obamacare-ruling-means-for-the-drinking-age.html
Lochrane, T. P., Al-Deek, H., Paracha, J., & Scriba, T. (2013). Understanding Driver Behavior in Work Zones. Public Roads, 76(5), 22-25.
The Heritage Foundation. (2010). Solutions for America: Revitalizing Federal Highway Transportation Policy, Retrieved From: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/08/revitalizing-federal-highway-transportation-policy
Wagenarr C. A. PH.D and Toomey L. T. PH.D.(2005). Effects of Minimum Age Drinking Laws: Review and Analyses of the Literature from 1960-2000, Retrieved From: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/supportingresearch/journal/wagenaar.aspx