US transport secretary’s war on ‘woke’ could make roads even deadlier, experts warn
Summary
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT), led by Secretary Sean Duffy, has removed several pedestrian and bike safety policies from public websites and shifted funding away from these projects toward roads and bridges. Safety experts warn that these changes ignore research and may increase traffic deaths, which are already higher in the US compared to other rich countries.Key Facts
- Sean Duffy became USDOT Secretary at the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in 2025.
- Duffy ended many Biden-era safety policies related to bikes, pedestrians, and speed management, calling them “woke policies.”
- The department removed five proven safety measures, including bike lanes and speed cameras, from official lists.
- USDOT redirected $1.73 billion from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) projects to traditional road and bridge spending.
- Officials argue that roads should prioritize car users, who make up nearly 80% of travelers in the US.
- Traffic deaths remain high in the US, with an estimated 36,640 deaths in 2025 from vehicle crashes.
- Transportation experts warn that ignoring established safety research may increase the risk of accidents and fatalities.
- Some safety information related to pedestrian and bicycle safety was deleted from government websites.
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