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Road to Zero Resolution Introduced in U.S. Senate and House of Representatives

Too many lives have been lost to preventable crashes; committing to these actions will end roadway fatalities.

July 28, 2021

Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council is thrilled that the resolution of reducing traffic fatalities to zero by 2050 was introduced to the Senate July 27 by Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois. Roadway fatalities have been a leading killer in the United States for decades. NSC estimates 42,060 people lost their lives in motor vehicle incidents in 2020 – the highest in more than a decade. That’s too many lives lost and too many American families personally impacted by preventable crashes.

As outlined in the resolution, NSC calls on federal policymakers to take several actions to reach the goal of zero deaths on the roads by 2050, some of which include:

  • Committing to the advancement of policies that will end these fatalities – such as prioritizing safety of all roadway users in infrastructure design by clearly marking lanes for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, installing rumble strips, utilizing traffic circles, and more and advancing safety technology.
  • Setting a goal of zero traffic fatalities at the Department of Transportation to govern decision making – unity in this matter will help ensure all parties involved are using the best resources available to achieve this goal together.
  • Recognizing the need for a safe systems approach in United States transportation – including improving access, safety and mobility for all roadway users.
  • Changing how we talk about these deaths by calling them “crashes” not “accidents.”

NSC implores the Senate to consider how this multifaceted resolution will serve all Americans, how its prioritization is needed to saves lives on our roadways and how it will allow great strides to be taken on the path to zero traffic fatalities by 2050.

About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for over 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace, roadway and impairment. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives.

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With a century-long legacy, the National Safety Council is a global center for safety expertise. Let's work together to align resources. We look forward to learning about ways we can join efforts to expand safety everywhere!

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