The Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan (CHSP) grew out of an existing policy goal described in TranPlanMT, Montana's statewide long-range transportation plan to "Provide leadership and coordinate with other Montana agencies to improve traveler safety." Additional impetus in developing a strategic highway safety plan came from the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), a bill that governs federal surface transportation spending.