On the Road with ASIRT Fall 2020.......................... Winter 2021
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Dear ASIRT Community,
When we join together, almost all challenges are eventually surmountable.
Among the strands of hope that has sustained me in this year of challenge and difficulty has been the United Nations General Assembly adoption of a resolution proclaiming the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030. By passing this resolution, governments around the world have committed themselves to reducing by half road traffic deaths and injuries in their countries. Having drawn wisdom, experience and lessons learned from the First Decade (2011–2020), we are now truly poised to achieve this ambitious goal.
“In a post-pandemic world, we must take the opportunity of these unprecedented times to reimagine mobility, to make it safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable,” writes, Dr. Etienne Krug, WHO Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health. “Road safety is at the heart of making this vision a reality.” Continues
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ASIRT Explores Future Road Safety:
Roads of Tomorrow
ASIRT’s Annual Gala 2021 highlighted forward-thinking keynote speaker Hilary M. Cain, Vice President of Technology, Innovation and Mobility Policy at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Ms. Cain presented the state of the autonomous vehicle industry, focusing on exciting technology manufacturers are poised to offer consumers that will have a tangible impact on road safety.
Also during the Gala, noteworthy honorees from around the country and from as far away as South Africa were recognized. The evening's program also showcased an impressive student road safety public service announcement video contest; and video from the University of Connecticut and Connecticut Transportation Institute Highlighting the use of driving simulators to study drivers and autonomous vehicles of the future. Post-Gala, multi-interest breakout rooms enabled the 200 virtual guests to delve deeper into the topics that arose. Read more.
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Local Initiative Highlights Student Road Safety Messages
ASIRT co-sponsored a Road Safety Public Service Announcement (PSA) video contest “Know Before You Go” with the Montgomery County (Maryland) Regional Student Government Association, MCR SGA. The outstanding winning videos created by 4th–12th grade students were featured during ASIRT’s 2020 virtual Gala. Northwood High School senior and MCR SGA President Layna Teitelbaum, Contest Coordinator, introduced the winners. Videos highlight the risks of speeding, texting and cell phone use, the use of helmets and seatbelts, the importance of honoring the memory of crash victims by responsible road use and the vision of safer future roads. ASIRT plans to partner with Montgomery County Schools to make the PSA video contest an annual event. Watch the winning entries.
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New: Education Abroad + Road Safety LinkedIn Group
Join the conversation we began during the Gala's Education Abroad Breakout session. Program administrators, faculty leaders, risk managers and interested others are invited to meet at The Intersection of Education Abroad + Road Safety, ASIRT's new LinkedIn group. Together we explore raising awareness about road safety and planning for safe education abroad-related itineraries. For details or answers to your road safety travel questions, contact gnadler@asirt.org.
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Updated Country Reports Include Accessibility Information
As of January 2021, ASIRTs Road Safety Reviews (RSR) describe specific accommodations and inclusions. The updated Brazil RSR states, "Pedestrian crossing lights may not provide adequate time for elderly or disabled persons to safely cross." The report for Norway notes, "Light rail trains are wheelchair accessible. Stops are announced over a loudspeaker. Local buses have wheelchair ramps and low floors." We hope this new information will be an important addition and invaluable resource.
ASIRT members can log in to download u pdated reports for Afghanistan, Bolivia, Brazil and Burkina Faso, Liberia, Norway and Zambia available. If you are interested in a country that is not listed, contact ASIRT so that we can add it to our queue of requests for new and updated reports. |
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Focus On: ASIRT Board Member Kimberly Harrington
Kimberly Harrington is a career Foreign Service Officer with 18 years of diplomatic experience in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree in national security studies at National Defense University in Washington, DC. From 2018 to 2020, she served as Political and Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, including five months as acting Deputy Chief of Mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read her bio.
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6th UN Global Road Safety Week May 17–23
In September 2019, the UN Secretary-General called on all sectors of society to mobilize for a new Decade of Action for Global Road Safety 2021–2030. Since that time, The UN General Assembly has adopted a new resolution on global road safety, proclaiming the period 2021–2030 as the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety with the goal to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50 per cent by 2030, #50x30. Learn more.
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Road to Zero: Adopt a Safe Systems Approach
ASIRT is a member of the Road to Zero Coalition, which released a comprehensive report laying out strategies to end roadway deaths in the U.S. by 2050. It is the first time so many organizations have collaborated to put forth a plan to address motor vehicle fatalities, which recently increased after years of decline. Read a report summary.
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Road Safety in the News
Hastings, Hudson Mark the 25th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
“We remember all of the people killed and seriously injured on the roads, thank first responders for their bravery, and re-dedicate ourselves to the task of preventing these tragedies." U.S. House of Representatives Press Release
The Biden Presidency and the Future of Autonomous Driving (Robotics Business Review)
Given that 95% of road crashes are due to human error, the next four years under the Biden administration could prove crucial to the nation’s ability to lead the autonomous driving race. It also increases road safety throughout the country—the two issues are not unrelated. Learn more.
Lives Lost On The World's Roads - ‘A Covid-19 Pandemic Every Year’ (Forbes)
“Traffic violence is an epidemic that we know how to control by lowering speed limits in cities and designing roadways to prioritize people’s safe mobility rather than their speed, especially important for those walking and biking, and for our kids and seniors, who are most at risk,” observes Leah Shahum, director of the Vision Zero Network. Read more.
More on COVID-related reductions in crashes. (Forbes)
Oslo's pedestrian and cyclist deaths are down to zero (Wired)
Global Alliance of Road Safety NGOs Receives Prince Michael International Road Safety Award
Congratulations to ASIRT partners the Global Alliance of Road Safety NGOs! Each year, the most outstanding examples of international road safety initiatives are given public recognition through these prestigious awards. #CommitToAct
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Your New Year Contribution
Start off 2021 with a donation to ASIRT to empower road users to make safe and informed decisions when traveling at home or abroad. Donate today.
Please update your annual designations to reflect ASIRT's current address: 11769 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854. Phone: 240-249-0100. Fax: 301-329-8487.
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