Sept. 1, 2015—The nation’s highway safety leaders are holding their annual meeting through Wednesday in downtown Nashville to collaborate on improving traffic safety as they work toward zero deaths on America’s roadways.
The conference comes as many states report an increase in traffic fatalities, after years of record lows. General sessions will address getting the numbers back down by targeting the most dangerous driver behaviors, with a focus on alcohol- and drug-impaired driver distraction.
On Monday, two federal highway safety leaders appointed by President Obama served as the keynote speakers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Mark Rosekind shared the agency’s latest strategies to reduce the instances of risky driver behavior. Michael Botticelli, policy director for the Office of National Drug Control, gave his insights on the growing problem of drugged driving and shared the latest research and policy recommendations.
Tuesday, Anne Ferro, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ president and CEO, will talk about how DMVs are approaching groups that are overrepresented in crashes, such as teens and unlicensed drivers. Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council (NSC), will share what NSC is working on to help curb distracted driving and keep teen drivers safe. Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), will present new research on the real-world safety benefits of a model speed camera program and offer recommendations on what states need to do to reduce traffic deaths.
On Wednesday morning, attendees of the conference will come together for an informal dialogue on drug-impaired driving trends and approaches with a special closing luncheon presentation by Joe Theismann, former quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Theismann will discuss change management and overcoming adversity.
For more information on the conference agenda, click here.
