NCSL hosted a Traffic Safety Preconference, on Aug. 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. Attendees heard from state legislators and national experts on the latest state traffic safety policy challenges and opportunities.
The meeting focused on four topic areas:
Increasing Safety for Pedestrians and Other Vulnerable Road Users
Pedestrian crashes and deaths have risen dramatically in recent years. Attendees learned about the latest data and how North Carolina is working to increase safety for vulnerable road users.
Moderator
- Doug Shinkle, director, Transportation Program, NCSL
Speakers
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Becky Naumann, associate chief of science, Applied Sciences Branch, Division of Injury Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—presentation
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Mark Ezzell, director, North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program—presentation
Exploring Safety Cameras to Enhance Traffic Safety
Red light and speed cameras are tools to enforce traffic laws while enhancing road safety. Attendees heard about the latest research on their effectiveness, best practices to implement and administer such programs, and the challenges and opportunities state lawmakers face when designing safety camera programs that address community concerns.
Moderator
- Doug Shinkle, director, Transportation Program, NCSL
Speakers
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Wen Hu, senior research transportation engineer, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety—presentation
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Melba Rivera-Irizarry, vice president, Global Product Management, Verra Mobility—presentation
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Legislative respondents: Washington Rep. Jake Fey, and Georgia Sen. John Albers
Resources
Tackling Impaired Driving Through Coalition Building, Enforcement and Awareness
Attendees learned from experts about the latest impaired driving data and countermeasures that states can consider to combat impaired driving. The session also explored how state lawmakers and industry leaders have successfully formed coalitions to advance these measures and the details of Kentucky's impaired driving awareness and enforcement campaigns.
Moderator
- Darrin Grondel, senior vice president of traffic safety, Responsibility.org, National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving
Speakers
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Bill Bell, executive director, Kentucky Office of Highway Safety—presentation
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Sgt. Muravchick, Lexington, Ky., Police Department—presentation
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Leslie Kimball, Executive Director, Responsibility.org—presentation and handout
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Legislative respondent: Kentucky Sen. Jimmy Higdon
Resources
Effective Ignition Interlock Countermeasures to Fight DUIs
One person dies every 39 minutes in a drunk driving crash in the United States. Ignition interlock devices, or IIDs, are a proven intervention to prevent impaired driving. Attendees heard from experts about the latest data and legislative strategies for leveraging IIDs to combat alcohol-related crashes and repeat offenses.
Moderator
- Bill Bronrott, founder and director, Bronrott Communications (former member of Maryland General Assembly)
Speakers
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Tara Leystra Ackerman, state government affairs specialist, NTSB—presentation
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Pam Shadel Fischer, senior director of external engagement, GHSA—presentation
Resources
Harnessing Telematics Data: Informing Traffic Safety Laws and Auto Insurance Programs
Attendees learned how states are leveraging telematics data to evaluate the effectiveness of new laws and programs, particularly those addressing distracted driving. The session also explored how insurance companies are leveraging telematics to support legislative initiatives and discussed the impact of telematics data both before and Ohio's recent handheld phone ban.
Moderator
- Annie Kitch, senior policy specialist, NCSL
Speakers
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Bob Passmore, vice president, Personal Lines, American Property Casualty Insurance Association—presentation
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Michelle May, manager, Highway Safety Program, Ohio Department of Transportation—presentation
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Legislative respondent: Oklahoma Rep. Nicole Miller
Resources