Highway safety is becoming a major issue. Driven in part by federal mandates and a deteriorating infrastructure, a solid classification program is becoming more and more important. About a third of the cities track highway safety items, such as bridges, culverts/catchbasins, signage, lights and guardrails, and another third want to start a classification program.

Highway safety is also being driven by the courts. Numerous cases exist where a plaintiff was able to show that the city was negligent in some action. For example, a motorist swerves to avoid a pothole, loses control of the vehicle and suffers injury and property damage. Unless the city can show it has a proactive safety program and took steps to protect the public, the courts have ruled for the plaintiff (the motorist).

Over 60% of those surveyed believe litigation is possible due to missing or poor-quality highway safety items.