On any given day, millions of Americans take to the roads. Whether commuting to work, taking children to school, or simply running errands, the road is where life happens. It's a place of motion, connection, and for too many families, tragedy.
Today, Congressman Coen (TN-9) Senator Luján (D-NM) introduced a significant bill in the U.S. Senate aimed at making the roads safer for everyone. Named the "DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act," this initiative seeks to create a dedicated advocate for the voices of victims and survivors of road accidents, within the DOT, marking a critical step forward in roadway safety.
About the Bill
The proposed bill, identified as S.4314, will mandate the creation of the National Roadway Safety Advocate role within the DOT. Positioned under the Secretary of Transportation for Policy, this role is designed to bridge the gap between roadway safety stakeholders and policymakers. It aims to ensure that the experiences of road accident victims are heard and acted upon.
The bill seeks to ensure those who have been affected by car crashes have a champion in the room to safeguard against the dehumanization often seen when lives are reduced to mere statistics, ensuring that the value of human life remains at the forefront as policymakers make the laws that affect us all, and as the volume of fatal crashes continues to grow.
The Growing Epidemic of Traffic Violence
The data on road fatalities reveals a grim reality of the growing epidemic of traffic violence in the United States.
Since 2009, the number of lives lost in car crashes has disturbing upward trend, increasing from 33,883 fatalities in 2009 to 42,514 by 2022. This represents an overall increase of 25.5% over the past 13 years.
An even more alarming trend is seen when viewing truck accident fatalities alone. Fatal crashes involving a large truck have skyrocketed by 75.6% during that same timeframe.
These statistics underline the immediate need for focused and effective interventions to protect US road users. The "DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act" seeks to address these issues by advocating for more robust and effective safety measures tailored to combat the escalating crisis of traffic violence on our roads.
Victims of Car Crashes Now Have a Seat at the Table
The establishment of the National Roadway Safety Advocate is vital for individuals affected by traffic violence. This role will ensure that their stories and challenges are integral to shaping roadway safety policies and practices. By having a dedicated advocate, crash victims and their families will have a direct line to influence changes that could prevent future tragedies and promote a safer transportation environment for everyone.
By having a dedicated advocate, crash victims and their families will have a direct line to influence changes that could prevent future tragedies and promote a safer transportation environment for everyone.
Become a Road Safety Advocate
For those looking to support or get involved in advocating for safer streets, several organizations are actively working towards this cause including:
Families for Safe Streets: Join this group to connect with others affected by road accidents and campaign for change.
StopUnderrides.org: Get involved in efforts to make underride guards mandatory, reducing the risk of fatalities in truck accidents.
AnnaLeah and Mary for Truck Safety: Support this organization focused on improving truck safety laws to honor the memory of lives lost in preventable truck crashes.
Institute for Safer Trucking/Road Safe America: Engage with this organization dedicated to reducing the number of accidents and deaths associated with commercial trucking. They advocate for safety regulations such as speed limiters and automatic emergency braking systems, aiming to make our roads safer for both truck drivers and the general public.
Crash Not Accident: Support the movement to change the language we use to describe road collisions. By advocating for the term "crash" instead of "accident," this organization emphasizes that these incidents are preventable and often the result of specific choices or failures in system design, rather than mere chance. Join them in advocating for a shift in public perception, by signing the pledge today.
Vision Zero Network: Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries from traffic incidents while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. Participate in their campaigns to promote traffic safety as a fundamental and universal right.
Your involvement will help drive the national agenda on roadway safety and bring about meaningful reform.
What Safety Measures Would Reduce Fatal Truck Crashes?
A Step Forward on the Road to Safer Roads
The "DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act" as it progresses through the Senate represents more than just legislation; for those who have lost loved ones to traffic violence, it embodies a commitment on behalf of the US government to the safety and dignity of every road user in the nation.
By galvanizing the voices of victims and survivors in the policy-making process, this bill promises to transform the landscape of road safety. It not only seeks to reduce the number of tragedies on our roads but also ensures that the human stories behind the statistics drive the changes we implement.
As we follow S.4314's journey through the halls of the Hill, it’s important that we as safety advocates remain engaged and vocal in our fight for a world with zero traffic fatalities.
About The Law Firm for Truck Safety
The Law Firm for Truck Safety, LLP, is one of the nation’s leading truck crash law firms, dedicated to representing individuals and families affected by serious and catastrophic truck crashes. As a leader in truck accident law, the firm has more National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) certified truck accident attorneys than any other firm in the nation, along with five attorneys who hold Class “A” Commercial Driver’s Licenses. This expertise and real-world understanding of trucking operations allow the firm and its attorneys to champion the rights of truck crash victims and advocate for the improved safety of American roads.
Committed to improving road safety and eliminating truck crash fatalities, The Law Firm for Truck Safety combines legal skill with a deep commitment to reducing senseless traffic violence. By uncovering and addressing the root causes of truck accidents, our goal is not just to win cases, but to make a lasting impact on the lives of our clients and the safety of all road users.
