US government sets goal of zero traffic deaths in 30 years

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration says it’s setting a goal of eliminating traffic fatalities in the United States within the next 30 years.

The Transportation Department is laying out a plan that would focus first on promoting efforts such as increased seat belt use, the use of rumble strips and campaigns against drunken and distracted driving.

The department says the introduction of self-driving cars and other advanced technologies makes zero deaths possible.

The zero deaths idea was first adopted in Sweden in 1997. The concept has since been adopted in many places — including some U.S. cities.